The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in Ilorin on Tuesday that the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State has experienced a tragedy that no community should endure.
It explained that the tragic incident struck at the heart of legendary harmony that Kwara as a State wears as badge in the comity of states.
A Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF, Dr Wilfred Mamah, stated this in his address at the ongoing training and inauguration of integrated mental health and psychosocial support services for victims of Woro attacks.
The training is at instance of the state Ministry of Social Development in conjunction with UNICEF and Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), a nongovernmental organization.
The Herald reports that the February 3rd and 4th, 2026 terrorist attacks in the community left many locals slaughtered while over 100 people including pregnant women and children are being held captive.
Mamah, while delivering his address at the event, bemoaned the severity of the aftermath of the onslaught on the children and called for support for them.
He said, “Across the world, UNICEF works in some of the most difficult environments to ensure that every child’s right to protection, health, education, dignity and hope is preserved- even in the midst of crisis.
“Today, we gather because Woro community in this beautiful State has experienced a tragedy that no community should endure. A tragedy that struck at the heart of legendary harmony that Kwara State wears as badge in the comity of states.
“When violence strikes, it leaves destruction in its wake- but the deepest wounds are often carried silently by children under 18. Some of the children in Woro community have witnessed scenes of brutality that no child should ever see.
“Some saw their homes destroyed. Some saw neighbours attacked. Some witnessed the violent loss of loved ones in ways that words can hardly capture. These are experiences that can deeply shake a child’s sense of dignity, safety and belonging.
“When children endure such trauma, the effects reach far beyond the moment of violence. Children who once laughed freely may suddenly withdraw into silence. Children who once ran joyfully to school may now be unable to access schools and feel too afraid to leave their homes.
“Children who once played in open fields may now see the world through the lens of fear. Trauma can take away something very precious from a child- the freedom to simply be a child. And yet, around the world- from conflict zones to disaster- affected communities- UNICEF witnessed something remarkable. With the right care, the right protection, and the right opportunities, children have an extraordinary ability to heal and rebuild their lives.”
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminat Ahmed el-Imam, who described the Woro attacks as unfortunate, said her ministry has supported the community with consumables to mitigate the negative impact of the incident on the village dwellers.
While assuring that her office would partner with the state Ministry of Social Development for the protection of health of the vulnerable people, el-Imam thanked UNICEF for the support extended to the state government.
She said the state was still expecting the international agency to intervene in infrastructure and provide funding to offer psychosocial support for easy reintegration of the affected people.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam Nnafatima Imam; and Chief Executive Officer of GLOHWOC, Dr Christy Oluwole-Abayomi, applauded UNICEF for its support and expressed optimism that the training would go a long way for survivors of Woro attacks to overcome their current traumatic experience.
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