Dozens of people have been killed in a ferocious shooting attack on two villages in Nigeria's western state of Kwara, according to authorities and rights groups. The attackers also set fire to shops and homes, along with the residence of the traditional leader, forcing the residents of Nuku and Woro to flee, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed told BBC Hausa.
Officials have blamed jihadist groups and deployed an army battalion to Kwara's Kaiama constituency. Tuesday's attack, one of several across Nigeria in the last few days, comes as the country's defense minister confirmed to the BBC that a small team of U.S. troops was in the country to help with intelligence and training.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said Islamist militant group Boko Haram was behind the attack. Local lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio indicated the involvement of Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State, according to the Associated Press. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that 75 local Muslims 'were massacred in cold blood simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine.'
Ahmed initially reported at least 35 deaths, but human rights groups suggest the toll could be as high as 162, with many bodies still being searched for. Amnesty International has noted that victims were shot at close range and some even burnt alive, calling for an investigation into the attacks.
A further 21 people were killed in an attack on Doma village in the state of Katsina, emphasizing the ongoing violence across the region. The recent spate of attacks has led to increasing calls for better security measures to protect civilians.
The attacks coincide with the U.S. military's increased involvement in Nigeria, including airstrikes on militant camps. Defense Minister Christopher Musa stated that the U.S. presence was a response to a Nigerian request for enhanced security collaboration against the growing threat of insurgency in the region.}
Officials have blamed jihadist groups and deployed an army battalion to Kwara's Kaiama constituency. Tuesday's attack, one of several across Nigeria in the last few days, comes as the country's defense minister confirmed to the BBC that a small team of U.S. troops was in the country to help with intelligence and training.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said Islamist militant group Boko Haram was behind the attack. Local lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio indicated the involvement of Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State, according to the Associated Press. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that 75 local Muslims 'were massacred in cold blood simply for refusing to surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine.'
Ahmed initially reported at least 35 deaths, but human rights groups suggest the toll could be as high as 162, with many bodies still being searched for. Amnesty International has noted that victims were shot at close range and some even burnt alive, calling for an investigation into the attacks.
A further 21 people were killed in an attack on Doma village in the state of Katsina, emphasizing the ongoing violence across the region. The recent spate of attacks has led to increasing calls for better security measures to protect civilians.
The attacks coincide with the U.S. military's increased involvement in Nigeria, including airstrikes on militant camps. Defense Minister Christopher Musa stated that the U.S. presence was a response to a Nigerian request for enhanced security collaboration against the growing threat of insurgency in the region.}
