The United States has condemned the deadly attack on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as conflicting casualty figures continue to emerge from the incident that has triggered widespread national and international outrage.
While the Nigerian Police Force confirmed that 75 people were killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers say the death toll is significantly higher.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” noting that more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still missing.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara State, Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for,” the statement said.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.”
The US also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to the affected communities.
“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.
The condemnation adds to mounting international reactions to the attack, which has already drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
Following the assault, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the establishment of a new military command to oversee operations in the area.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence units to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security personnel were already on the ground.
