Pope Leo XIV has spoken out against the recent wave of violent attacks in Nigeria, saying he is sorry for the lives lost and called on the government to take strong action to safeguard people.
“I am sad and worried to hear about the recent attacks on several communities in Nigeria that caused a lot of deaths. The pope posted on his X account, “I pray for all the victims of violence and terrorism.” He also said that he was very worried when he heard about the atrocities.
“I also hope that the right people will keep working hard to make sure that every citizen’s life is safe and protected. #PrayTogether.
Channels TV said that the Pope’s statement came after a number of deadly attacks in different parts of the country, with the worst one happening in Kwara State.
Residents have called the attack on the villages of Woro and Nuku in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State a “massacre.” It happened on February 3 and 4, 2026.
Reports say that 162 people died, but local officials and survivors think that the number is higher than 200 because bodies are still being found in the wilderness around the area. However, the police and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said that 75 people died in the attack.
In response, President Bola Tinubu sent more troops to the area and proclaimed a national security emergency. A fresh military operation has sent an army battalion to Kaiama to help restore order. On February 7, Vice President Kashim Shettima also went to Ilorin to offer his condolences to the state administration and the communities who were affected.
The killings were condemned around the world. The US, the UN, and Türkiye all condemned the violence and urged for those responsible to be held accountable.
In separate remarks, they called it horrible, and Türkiye promised to help Nigeria fight crime with military backing.
Amnesty International, on the other hand, has criticized the Nigerian government for what it calls severe security failures, pointing out that people in the area had apparently raised fears about attacks that were due to happen weeks before the slaughter.
At the same time, other tragic events were happening all around the country. In Katsina State, armed groups killed between 21 and 35 individuals in the village of Doma, Tafoki ward, after coordinated attacks on homes. These attacks reportedly broke a five-month peace agreement between the community and local armed gangs.
On February 3, suspected armed Fulani herders assaulted the Abande village in Kwande Local Government Area, killing at least 16 people, including a Mobile Police officer, and stealing from a local market.
In the same way, gunmen attacked communities in Agwara and Mashegu local government areas in Niger State on February 1. They burned a police station on fire and took numerous people hostage.
The most recent attacks have raised concerns about the country’s security issues, and there are greater calls for stronger protection of at-risk populations and more decisive action against armed organizations.
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