Nigeria sends troops to villages attacked by jihadist fighters

A report from Theguardian says Nigeria will deploy an army battalion to Kaiama district in Kwara state after suspected jihadist fighters killed 170 people in attacks on Woro and Nuku villages. Footage broadcast by local news stations showed bodies lying in blood, some with their hands tied, and burning houses.

Residents told Reuters the attackers were jihadists who had long preached in the village, urging locals to abandon the Nigerian state and adopt sharia rule; when villagers refused, the militants opened fire. About 38 houses were destroyed, Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, a lawmaker representing the district, said.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The president's office condemned the attack as "cowardly" and said a Nigerian army battalion would be deployed to Kaiama, which had limited security presence until now.

Nigeria, Kaiama district, Kwara state