172 people are dead, but local reports say there are more 300; Tinubu must take action.
Written by Elizabeth Williams
The Save Nigeria Group, SNG, USA, has called for a National Day of Prayer for the nation, increased US assistance, and an immediate security intervention by the Federal Government in response to the horrifying massacre of numerous residents in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kwara State.
More than 170 Nigerians were confirmed dead in the attacks, according to a statement released by SNG USA in Washington, D.C., but reliable local reports indicated the death toll might be as high as 300 as search teams continued to retrieve bodies from the surrounding bushland. The group said that as of the time of the release, dozens of residents were still unaccounted for.
The organization called the killings a “catastrophic failure of security” and cautioned that the incident highlighted the spread of terrorism to previously safe areas of the nation in a statement made by President Stephen Osemwegie and Media Director Victor Onyeka Ben.
SNG USA said that the Lakurawa extremist organization was responsible for the attack and that it had executed locals who had refused to change their allegiance, proving that no part of Nigeria was safe from the growing threat of terrorism.
Speak with Tinubu
SNG USA said that Nigeria’s present insecurity trajectory was unsustainable and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately carry out what it regarded as the most fundamental constitutional obligation of government—the protection of lives and property.
Prior to the general elections in 2027, the organization warned political actors against what it called an early transition into election mode, emphasizing that security and governance must come first.
“We cannot afford to delay or deny that Nigeria is bleeding,” stated Mr. Stephen Osemwegie, President of Save Nigeria Group USA.
“Those who act as though these attacks don’t affect them are just biding their time. For the Nigerian people, a “wait-and-see” strategy is a death sentence,” he continued.
Call on the United States
SNG USA formally urged the US government to increase security cooperation with Nigeria, citing the deteriorating ability of local authorities to combat more complex terror networks.
In order to help fill what it called “critical gaps in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations,” the group called for the deployment of more U.S. military advisers, improved intelligence sharing, and technical assistance.
SNG USA warns that failing to curb the terror threat could have wider regional repercussions and asserts that a stable Nigeria is essential to the security of West Africa and the transatlantic community.
The statement stated, “U.S. expertise is desperately needed to dismantle these terror networks before they succeed in destabilizing the entire region.”
Day of prayer, united front
In addition, the organization urged opposing political actors, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to put aside their differences and present what it called a united front against terrorism.
SNG USA has called for a National Day of Prayer, asking Nigerians both at home and abroad to pray for divine intervention for the victims’ souls, consolation for grieving families, and bravery and wisdom for the country’s leaders.
Requests
SNG USA set out specific demands, such as deploying advanced surveillance and border-monitoring technology throughout Kwara and neighboring Niger States, conducting a prompt and transparent investigation into the security lapses that led to the Kwara attacks, and urgently shifting the country’s priorities from political posturing to governance, security, and national defense.
The group cautioned that if political ambition is still prioritized over human life, the attempt to save Nigeria will fail.
