At least 162 killed in west Nigeria attack, says Red Cross

Gunmen killed at least 162 people in Woro village in Kwara state, the local Red Cross secretary Babaomo Ayodeji said, updating an earlier toll of 67. A local lawmaker, Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, had earlier said 35 to 40 bodies were counted. Police confirmed the attack but did not provide casualty figures, and the state government blamed it on 'terrorist cells'.

Ahmed said many others escaped into the bush after the gunmen invaded Woro at about 600pm (1700 GMT) and set shops and the king's palace ablaze; the traditional king’s whereabouts were unknown. The Kwara governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the attack as 'a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells' amid intensified military operations.

The military said it had launched 'sustained coordinated offensive operations' in the state, reported clearing hideouts and 'neutralising' fighters, and local media said 150 bandits had been neutralised. Authorities had imposed curfews and closed schools for several weeks before ordering them to reopen on Monday.

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