Woro Residents Allege Kwara Government Used Rice Palliatives to Court APC Support After Deadly Boko Haram Attack
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Woro Residents Allege Kwara Government Used Rice Palliatives to Court APC Support After Deadly Boko Haram Attack
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan, Editor -in- chief | Sele Media Africa
Residents of Woro community in Kwara State have accused the Kwara State Government of exploiting humanitarian relief efforts to advance partisan political interests in the aftermath of a deadly insurgent attack attributed to Boko Haram.
Community leaders and survivors allege that bags of rice distributed as emergency palliatives following the attack were tied—explicitly or implicitly—to mobilising support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They contend that the aid, presented during outreach visits after the violence, was accompanied by political messaging rather than a transparent, needs-based relief process.
Allegations Emerge After Mass Casualty Attack
According to local accounts, the assault on villages around Woro resulted in extensive loss of life, with residents placing the death toll at over 200. While the precise number of casualties remains unverified by independent authorities, survivors describe scenes of mass displacement, destroyed homes, and urgent humanitarian needs. Community representatives say relief should have been delivered through neutral channels and coordinated with local leaders to prioritise the most vulnerable.
“We needed protection, medical care, and shelter,” a community elder told Sele Media Africa. “What we received felt like politics when our people were still burying the dead.”
Government Response and Political Context
State officials have not publicly confirmed any political conditions attached to the distribution of relief items. Government sources maintain that palliatives were provided to ease immediate hardship and deny allegations of coercion or inducement. The APC has also rejected claims that party membership or allegiance was a prerequisite for receiving aid.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened insecurity in parts of Nigeria, where attacks on rural communities have strained trust between citizens and authorities. Analysts warn that politicising humanitarian assistance—if proven—could undermine confidence in emergency responses and deepen community grievances.
Calls for Accountability and Neutral Aid
Civil society groups and local activists are calling for an independent review of the relief process in Woro, urging authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid remains impartial, transparent, and insulated from political competition. They also demand a thorough investigation into the attack and sustained security presence to prevent further violence.
Broader Media Coverage
Security challenges and insurgent violence in Nigeria, including attacks on rural communities and the humanitarian fallout, have been widely reported by reputable outlets such as BBC News, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and The Guardian Nigeria. These reports underscore ongoing concerns about civilian protection, aid delivery, and governance in conflict-affected regions.
As investigations continue, residents of Woro say their priority remains justice for the victims, credible security guarantees, and humanitarian support delivered without political strings attached.
Sources: BBC News; Al Jazeera; Reuters; The Guardian Nigeria.
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