Woro Attacks: Kwara Govt, UNICEF Offer Victims Psychosocial Support Services

Kwara State Ministry of Social Development, in conjunction with UNICEF and Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), has kicked off integrated mental health and psychosocial support services for victims of Woro attacks in Kaiama local government area.

At the event held in Ilorin, the state capital, a child protection specialist with UNICEF, Dr Wilfred Mamah, said that Woro community has experienced a tragedy that no community should endure.

LEADERSHIP reports that the February 3 and 4, 2026, terrorist attacks in Woro claimed about 170 lives, while over 100 people, including pregnant women and children, are still being held captive.

Mamah 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 the legendary harmony that Kwara State wears as a 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,” he said.

The commissioner for Health, Dr Aminat 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 to protect the health of 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 the easy reintegration of the affected people.

Also, the commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam Imam, and the chief executive officer of GLOHWOC, Dr Christy Oluwole-Abayomi, applauded UNICEF for its support and expressed optimism that the training would help survivors of the Woro attacks overcome their current traumatic experience.