Four months after terror attack, displaced Kwara residents return to Woro community

More than four months after a devastating terrorist attack forced residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State to flee their homes, over 80 per cent of the displaced population has returned, signaling a gradual recovery driven by improved security and government intervention.

The village head of Woro, Umar Bio Salihu, disclosed this while speaking with defence correspondents in Kaiama, saying the return of residents reflects growing confidence in the security measures put in place following the February 3 attack.

Despite the progress, the traditional ruler said he has yet to relocate permanently to the community because his palace, which was destroyed during the assault, is still awaiting reconstruction.

“Immediately after the attack, the community was completely deserted. People ran for their lives, and I was advised to relocate because I was one of the major targets,” Salihu said.

The monarch recalled that terrorists razed his palace, six residential houses and 49 shops during the invasion, leaving extensive destruction in their wake.

“My palace, along with about six houses and 49 shops, was completely burnt. Since I have no accommodation in the village at the moment, I only visit occasionally until reconstruction is completed,” he explained.

Salihu commended the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what he described as a swift and sustained response to the crisis. According to him, the governor approved funds for the rebuilding of the palace, and construction is expected to commence shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

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“The government has already released the funds. I expect work to begin immediately after Sallah, and within the next three or four weeks, I should be able to return permanently to the village,” he said.

He also revealed that the state government established a seven-member committee to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts, with him serving as a member to represent the interests of affected residents.

Beyond reconstruction, Salihu said the government provided emergency support, including relief materials, fumigation of the community and the installation of new boreholes after terrorists destroyed existing sources of potable water.

The traditional ruler recounted the horrors of the attack, describing how some residents were allegedly trapped in a room, doused with petrol and burned alive.

“Some victims were locked inside a room and set ablaze. The situation was so devastating that in some cases there were virtually no remains left for burial. The resulting stench across the village necessitated the fumigation exercise carried out by the government,” he said.

According to him, the deployment of military personnel, mobile police officers and forest guards has significantly improved security in the area, encouraging displaced residents to return from neighbouring communities such as New Bussa and Wawa.

“Security presence remains strong. As confidence grew, we encouraged our people to come back. Today, more than 80 per cent of those who fled have returned and resumed their lives,” he said.

Salihu added that humanitarian support from organisations including UNICEF, the Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) complemented government efforts and helped ease the return process.

He noted that commercial activities are gradually recovering, particularly during the community’s weekly market days.

“If you visit Woro on a Sunday market day, you will see that economic activities are returning. People are rebuilding their lives and businesses,” he said.

While expressing optimism that more residents would return in the coming months, the village head acknowledged that lingering trauma continues to discourage some families from resettling.

“We may not achieve full return immediately because many people are still traumatised by what happened. However, with sustained security and continued government support, I believe the remaining residents will eventually come back,” he stated.

Salihu disclosed that reconstruction of the 49 destroyed shops has begun in phases, with the first 10 shops earmarked for immediate rebuilding to help traders resume their livelihoods.

He also urged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity around the vast forest areas bordering affected communities, warning that criminal groups have continued to exploit the expansive forest reserve and adjoining national park as operational hideouts.

According to him, the forest, once valued for its environmental and economic benefits, has increasingly become a security threat to communities within the buffer zone.

He called for the establishment of a permanent military formation, including the possibility of an Army barracks or Air Force base, to deny criminal elements safe havens and strengthen long-term security across the region.

“The forest is extremely vast and has become a refuge for criminal groups. A permanent military presence would go a long way in securing the area and preventing terrorists and bandits from using it as a base for attacks,” he said.