- …calls for urgent security reforms
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the deadly terrorist attacks carried out between 3 and 4 February 2026 in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.
The Coalition also condemned another grave attack in Katsina State, where over 20 people were killed by suspected bandits in Doma community, Tafoki Ward of Faskari Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the CNG said credible reports from local authorities and community sources indicate that scores of residents were killed in the Kwara attacks, with casualty figures running into over 100, while many others sustained serious injuries.
According to the statement, homes, shops and farmlands were destroyed during the attacks, forcing survivors, mostly women, children and the elderly, to flee their communities in fear for their lives.
Charanchi said: “The attackers reportedly stormed the community in a coordinated assault, unleashing violence on residents, destroying homes, and forcing survivors to flee, once again exposing the persistent vulnerability of rural communities to armed criminal groups.
“The Coalition extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those brutally murdered in this senseless attack. We also express our heartfelt sympathy to the injured and to all residents who have been displaced and traumatised by this act of terror.
“The pain, grief and insecurity inflicted on these communities are unacceptable and must not be normalised. The people and communities, like all Nigerians, have the fundamental right to live in safety and dignity.
“The scale and brutality of this attack highlight the growing threat of terrorism and banditry spreading, and expose the dangerous gaps in the country’s security architecture, particularly in rural and border communities”.
The CNG calls on the Federal Government to ensure speedy widespread recruitment and training of the Forest Guards to complement security forces across the frontline areas.
The Coalition finally called on Nigerians to remain united, resilient and peaceful in the face of provocation, while urging leaders at all levels to rise to the gravity of the moment.
He stressed that the protection of citizens remains the primary responsibility of the government.
Charanchi said: “We welcome the approach as we believe those guards that would be drawn from the communities would be instrumental in combating terrorists and bandits in every nooks and crannies of our communities.
“While the Coalition acknowledges the sacrifices and efforts of security personnel on the front lines, the persistence of such deadly attacks shows that current responses remain inadequate.
“There is an urgent need for a more decisive, intelligence-driven and people-centred security strategy that prioritises the protection of lives over reactive damage control.
“The CNG therefore renews its call on the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to take immediate and concrete steps to secure vulnerable communities, strengthen intelligence gathering, improve early warning systems, and ensure visible security presence in high-risk areas”.
He urge the authorities to provide timely relief, medical care and other support for victims and displaced families, while ensuring that those responsible for this atrocity are swiftly identified and brought to justice.
“Beyond immediate security measures, this tragedy underscores the need to confront the deeper drivers of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and governance failures that allow violent groups to thrive,“ the added.
