Residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have been thrown into renewed panic following a deadly explosion in the early hours of Monday, which allegedly killed scores.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early morning on 23rd March 2026, when a vehicle drove over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected Boko Haram, triggering a fatal blast that claimed several lives, whose identities have yet to be confirmed.
Google map location of the incident. Credit: Advocatus Africa.
Community sources said the explosion happened suddenly, catching residents off guard and plunging the already traumatised area into chaos.
“There was an explosion around Woro this morning. The explosion claimed lives, number of lives lost not certain. A car drove over an IED. We believe it was planted by Boko Haram members,” a source said.
Another resident, Aliyu Yahuza, confirmed the incident, reinforcing fears that the community remains under sustained threat from armed groups operating in the region.
Efforts to independently verify the exact number of casualties were ongoing at the time of filing this report, while attempts to reach the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, were unsuccessful.
The latest explosion has heightened anxiety among residents; many of whom say they are living in constant fear of further attacks.
“We are living in fear every day,” a resident lamented, adding that “Nobody feels safe anymore.”
The development comes amid an ongoing security crisis in Woro, previously reported, where suspected Boko Haram fighters carried out a large-scale abduction in February 2026.
During the previous attack, dozens of residents were killed, including members of the Emir’s family, religious leaders, and schoolchildren, while buildings such as the Emir’s palace were set ablaze.
Previous Woro Attack and Abductions
The latest explosion appears to be part of a continuing wave of attacks in the same region previously reported. In that earlier incident, over 160 people were reportedly killed, with dozens abducted, who were mostly women and children.
Recall that we have reported that 176 people were abducted, a figure that sharply contradicts verified reports putting the number closer to 38 victims. The footage fueled nationwide concern and highlighted ongoing discrepancies between insurgent narratives and confirmed data.
Sources had revealed that the insurgents demanded a ransom of ₦20 million per victim, but negotiations reportedly stalled after the Kwara State Government refused to meet the demands.
Families of the abducted victims have continued to express frustration over the lack of progress, fearing that some captives may have died in the bush due to hunger, illness, and lack of medical care.
The new explosion raises concerns that the same network behind the earlier mass killing and abductions may still be active.
Communities in Woro remain highly vulnerable to repeated attacks and the absence of clear, timely official communication continues to create space for misinformation and fear
As residents reel from yet another attack, calls are intensifying for urgent security intervention and transparent updates to prevent further loss of life and restore public confidence.
With no confirmed government response yet on the latest blast, the situation reflects a worrying pattern.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Daily Observer Media.
