Escalating Violence: Attacks in Nigeria’s Kebbi and Adamawa States Result in 22 Deaths
Recent attacks in Nigeria’s Kebbi and Adamawa states have left communities reeling as 22 lives were tragically cut short. These assaults, attributed to terrorist groups, highlight the ongoing struggle against violence in the region.
On Wednesday, a violent incursion by armed assailants known as the Lakurawa terrorists took place in Dadinkowa, a locality within Kebbi State’s Maiyama Local Government Area. The attackers targeted a mosque during evening prayers, resulting in the deaths of five worshippers. Eyewitness accounts described a scene of terror as gunfire rang out, leaving many others injured and traumatized.
According to a local resident, Nasiru Abdullahi, the assault occurred as the worshippers gathered for prayer, catching them off guard. “They came in large numbers, firing indiscriminately before storming the mosque,” he recounted. In the aftermath, bodies were carried from the mosque and laid to rest in accordance with Islamic customs. Abdullahi reported that three individuals were taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Community leader Malam Shehu Muhammed expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the timing during Ramadan when the community seeks mercy and forgiveness. “This attack has left us in mourning. We’ve never experienced such brutality before,” he lamented, urging the government to increase security forces in the area. Muhammed explained that the attack might have been linked to an earlier confrontation between the Lakurawa group and soldiers.
In Adamawa State, the violence escalated further with a separate incident in the Shuwari community, where gunmen believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram killed 17 people during a Tuesday evening raid. Witnesses reported that the assailants, who also set fire to homes and businesses, disguised themselves as military personnel to avoid suspicion.
Shuaibu Gulak, a local resident, described the devastation and fear that now grips the community, rendering farmlands inaccessible due to constant threats of violence. “We can no longer access our farms without risking our lives,” he stated, adding a plea for urgent government intervention to alleviate their plight.
Former Chairman of the Madagali Local Council, Hon. Maina Ularamu, confirmed that the village head was among those killed. In a visit to the community, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri condemned the cowardly attack and pledged full support for the affected families. He emphasized the importance of strengthening security across the region, ensuring that such tragic incidents do not occur again.
The recent flare-ups in violence come amid rising concerns of militant activity in the border regions of Nigeria, Benin, and Niger. A report by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) noted a staggering 262% increase in violence along these borders between 2024 and 2025. This trend underscores an alarming escalation of terrorist activities, particularly by al-Qaeda-affiliated groups.
“The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous as these groups expand their influence in cross-border regions,” stated Héni Nsaibia, ACLED’s senior analyst for West Africa. The report highlights that militants have begun to publicly claim responsibility for attacks, signaling a bold new phase in their operations.
As the governments of Nigeria and neighboring states grapple with these security challenges, residents in Kebbi and Adamawa states are left to pick up the pieces after the latest wave of violence. The mounting death toll and increasing frequency of attacks have sparked urgent calls for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
This developing crisis remains a concern not only for local and state officials but also for the broader West African region as strategies to mitigate extremist violence continue to evolve.
— Reported by Nexio News
