By Onibiyo Segun
(Eruku, Kwara State BREAKING) Recent abductions and bombings in Nigeria’s Kwara State confirm TruthNigeria’s reporting that either Boko Haram or Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) insurgents are building a new operating base in Kwara State. The two groups use the same ISIS flag and are frequently indistinguishable, according to security experts.
An Improvised Explosive Detonation (IED) bombing rocked the town of Woro, in Western Kwara State, Monday, March 23, killing 8 people, according to Kapital 92.9 FM radio.
Woro is the location of the abduction of 176 women and children by Boko Haram on Feb. 14, 2026, as reported by TruthNigeria. Despite ongoing rescue attempts, the congregation of 176 people remain as hostages under forest canopy in Kwara State.
The attacks on March 22 and 23 were predicted by the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, which raised the alarm over plans by suspected terrorists to launch coordinated attacks on three local government areas in Kwara State on March 23 and March 28.
Counties threatened by Boko Haram terrorists included Ifelodun, Irepodun and Isin (Local Government Areas) within the Kwara South Senatorial District, according to Punch.
The bombing in Woro, Kwara State, happened one day after a church abduction of Ecumenical Church Winning All (ECWA) on Sunday. Armed gunmen abducted nine worshippers from two churches in Oro-Ago community in Ifelodun County (local government area) on March 22, 2026, including the wife of Pastor Samuel Adeoye. While authorities have not confirmed identity of the perpetrators, media reports describe the attackers as “terrorists dubbed as bandits.”
Three victims were rescued; six remain captive. As TruthNigeria has reported, the Nigerian kidnap industry has bankrupted farmers across the Middle Belt of Nigeria for years. The action of Fulani ethnic kidnap gangs has both a venal purpose – money – and a political objective – and in addition to that, forced removal of Christian natives on land they have cultivated for centuries.
“In most cases we track, rural victims rarely generate more than ₦1.5 million–₦3 million ($1,101–$2,201) per person,” Musa Abubakar, a former security adviser to the Borno State government, told TruthNigeria.
Abubakar explained, “Even these modest sums strain families, forcing the sale of land, livestock, or other assets, illustrating how kidnappings destabilize rural communities.”
Expanding Footprint of Boko Haram/ ISWAP in Kwara
Analysts speaking to TruthNigeria link the Kwara attackers to ISWAP, a group of terrorists who broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 and gained recognition by ISIS that year. The two – Boko Haram and ISWAP – have battled each other for years, yet according to TruthNigeria sources, the two have collaborated to launch spectacular attacks in Borno during the first 14 days of March.
“Intelligence exists, but preventive action is weak,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, terrorism analyst at Ahmadu Bello University.
Retired Major General Ibrahim Suleiman added: “Security agencies are proactive but rarely deny terrorists access.”
Emeka Okafor, Institute for Security Studies, Lagos, said: “Resources are deployed, but local protection remains weak. Terrorists exploit that.”
Pattern of Escalation
The abduction of church worshipers on Sunday March 22 illustrates a regional trend of Christian-targeted abductions:
· Kurmin Wali, Southern Kaduna, Jan 2026 – Fulani militia abducted over 170 worshippers from three churches.
· Aiyetoro Kiri, Kogi, Dec 2025 – Seven captives rescued after an ECWA church raid.
· Kajuru, Kaduna, mid‑2025 – Multiple abductions of churchgoers and farmers.
Analysts say ISIS-linked insurgents are moving beyond the Northeast into the Middle Belt, exploiting remote corridors to move undetected.
Witnesses of Sunday’s abduction of nine people from the church in Kwara State told TruthNigeria more than 30 gunmen on motorcycles roared into the town, firing into the air and forcibly removing congregants.
“They came shooting and shouting. People ran. I saw them drag members,” said Raphael Adebiyi.
Ipinyemi Abayomi, a resident of Oro-Ago, added: “They entered during worship. Within minutes, people were gone.”
Church Leadership Response
The ECWA District Church Council in Ilorin confirmed the abductions.
Three victims were rescued; others remain captive.
“This is part of repeated attacks affecting ECWA communities across Kwara South,” Rev. David Abolarin told TruthNigeria.
Security Response and Community Risk
Kwara State Police spokesperson SP Okasanmi Ajayi confirmed tactical units rescued three victims and remain on operation.
Residents say rural communities lack consistent security: “There are no regular patrols. After attacks, they leave,” Pa Ajayi, a community leader, told TruthNigeria.
Eruku lies along the Oke-Ode–Pategi corridor, 150 km south of Ilorin, and 250–300 km from Kogi and Kano forest belts, historically used by militants to transit between North and Central Nigeria.
Analysts say ISWAP is increasingly using these corridors for Middle Belt incursions.
Prof. Banji Adefowope, Ilorin-based public affairs analyst, added: “Warnings often align with broader intelligence patterns but are frequently dismissed until after attacks occur.”
Community Impact
Residents report fear is spreading.
“Our communities are exposed. People are afraid to gather, even in church,” said Mrs. Aderonke Adunni.
Pastor Adeoye said: “Our faith should not make us targets. Authorities must act before more lives are lost.”
As families await news of abducted worshippers, Kwara church raids reveal widening security gaps.
Warnings were issued. Attacks followed.
Without preventive deployment, analysts say similar incidents may increase, putting rural communities, churches, and travelers at continued risk.
Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.
