Gunmen have killed at least 162 people in Woro village, Kwara state, western Nigeria, in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the country.

The assault occurred Tuesday evening, with attackers setting fire to shops and the king’s palace while many residents fled into the bush.

Local authorities and the Red Cross confirmed the death toll, which may rise as more bodies are found.

The state government blamed “terrorist cells,” and the military has been conducting intensified operations against bandits and jihadist groups in the region, The Guardian has reported.

Nigeria continues to face widespread insecurity from armed gangs, jihadists, and intercommunal violence, affecting both Christians and Muslims.