11 feared killed as terrorists invade Adamawa community

11 feared killed as terrorists invade Adamawa community

At least 11 people are feared dead after suspected terrorists attacked Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the early hours of Monday, leaving residents dead, homes burnt and several people missing.

The attackers reportedly invaded the community while residents were asleep, opening fire on people before setting several houses ablaze.

The assault sent residents fleeing for safety, with some reportedly escaping into nearby bushes and surrounding forests as the attackers moved through the community.

A resident who spoke by telephone on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media said 11 bodies had been recovered following the attack.

“For now, 11 dead bodies have been recovered. Many people are still missing. Search teams and security personnel are in the forest searching for the missing people,” the resident said.

The resident said the search operation was continuing, raising fears that the death toll could increase if more victims are found.

Another resident described the attack as a devastating loss to his family, saying his wife and two other relatives were among those killed.

“My wife and two of my family members were also killed during the early morning invasion of my village,” he said.

The identities of the attackers could not be independently established at the time of reporting, although residents described them as suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

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The Adamawa State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the reported casualty figure as of the time of filing this report.

Repeated calls to the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, seeking confirmation of the attack and details of the security response were reportedly unanswered.

The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the number of attackers involved and whether security personnel engaged them during or after the assault, were also unclear.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about the security of rural communities in Gombi LGA, an area that has suffered deadly attacks and other forms of insecurity in the past.

In April 2026, at least 29 people were killed in attacks on Guyaku and Telabala communities in Gombi Local Government Area, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing communities in the area.

The latest attack underscores the continuing challenges faced by communities in Adamawa State, particularly settlements located in remote areas where security response can be difficult.

Gombi has historically faced threats linked to Boko Haram and other armed groups, with previous attacks forcing residents to flee their homes and disrupting farming and other economic activities.

Security agencies have continued counter-terrorism operations in the North-East, including efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist networks operating across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

However, the reported attack on Zaranga has once again raised questions about the protection of vulnerable rural communities and the need for faster responses to security threats.

For families in Zaranga, the immediate priority remains locating residents who are still missing and establishing the full extent of the casualties and destruction.

The reported figure of 11 deaths remains provisional pending official confirmation by the police or other security authorities. The number could change as search teams continue efforts to locate missing residents and recover possible additional victims.

The incident is expected to further heighten security concerns in Gombi and neighbouring communities, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger protection against attacks by armed groups.

Authorities are yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the Zaranga incident, including whether any suspects have been identified or arrested.

As security personnel and community members continue search operations, residents are hoping for the safe return of those still unaccounted for and stronger measures to prevent another attack.

11 feared killed as terrorists invade Adamawa community