Nigeria sends troops to villages attacked by jihadist fighters

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Carlos Mureithi and agenciesFebruary 5, 2026 at 03:48 PM

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In Nigeria, suspected jihadist fighters killed 170 people in attacks on the villages of Woro and Nuku in Kwara state on Tuesday night. The attackers, believed to be jihadists attempting to impose extremist rule, shot residents, burned homes, and looted shops after villagers refused to abandon the Nigerian state and adopt sharia law. President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks and announced the deployment of a Nigerian army battalion to Kaiama, the affected local government area, to spearhead "Operation Savannah Shield" and protect communities. The violence is the latest in a series of attacks by jihadists and armed groups in Nigeria, particularly in the north and increasingly in regions bordering Niger. The military believes one group, Islamic State Sahel Province, became more active in Nigeria after the 2023 coup in Niger.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reuters 30% Operation Savannah Shield 40% Niger ×250% Woro 50% Nuku 50% Islamic State Sahel Province (Lakurawa) ×250% Bola Tinubu 60% Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ×260% Kwara ×270% Nigerian Army ×270% Kaiama ×370% Nigeria ×690%

Keywords

jihadist attacks 100% nigeria 90% armed groups 80% military deployment 70% sharia rule 60% operation savannah shield 50% islamic state 50% kwara state 40%