More than 160 people were killed in coordinated attacks on two villages in western Nigeria’s Kwara State, marking the country’s deadliest armed assault so far this year, local officials and rights groups said.

The attacks occurred on Tuesday in Woro and Nuku villages. By Wednesday afternoon, the death toll had risen to 162, according to local lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio. Several residents remain missing, including a traditional ruler, while many others fled into nearby bushland with injuries.

Armed group linked to Islamic State

Local politicians and residents said the violence was carried out by Lakurawa, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State. The attackers reportedly rounded up villagers, restrained them and killed them before setting homes and shops ablaze.

According to Amnesty International, the death toll may be even higher, with more than 170 people killed. The group said residents had received threats for months, warning of impending attacks if they did not submit to extremist demands.

Residents describe terror and displacement

Witnesses told media that the gunmen often visited the villages to preach and demanded that residents abandon allegiance to the Nigerian state. When villagers resisted, the attackers opened fire during a gathering.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the violence, calling it a “cowardly act” by terrorist cells under pressure from security operations.

Wider insecurity across Nigeria

The attacks underscore Nigeria’s widening security crisis, which includes jihadist insurgency in the north-east, armed banditry in the north-west and intercommunal violence in central regions. Kwara borders Niger state, where armed groups have become increasingly active since political instability in the region.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, at least 13 people were killed in Katsina state, despite recent peace agreements between villagers and armed groups.

The Nigerian military said it has intensified operations against extremist groups and continues to conduct coordinated offensives in affected areas