Bandits Kill Scores, Abduct Many in Fresh Attacks Across Northern Nigeria

A fresh wave of coordinated violence has rocked northern Nigeria, with gunmen killing scores of people and abducting dozens across Adamawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kwara and Plateau states within 72 hours.

The renewed attacks — linked to suspected Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandit groups — have intensified concerns over worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria, as communities grapple with repeated raids, mass killings and kidnappings for ransom.

In Adamawa State, the hometown of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Madagali Local Government Area, came under attack again late Tuesday night. Local sources said suspected Boko Haram insurgents stormed Kirchinga village around midnight, shooting residents and burning homes. Casualty figures from residents put the death toll at no fewer than 24, though the Nigeria Police Force said it was still compiling official numbers. This marks the fourth attack on Madagali in five months, following earlier raids on October 1, November 19, December 8, 2025, and February 24, 2026 — raising fears of renewed insurgent activity in the northeastern corridor. Police spokesperson SP Suleiman Nguroje said authorities were verifying casualty figures and assessing the full scale of destruction.

In Kebbi State, gunmen attacked a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area, during a nighttime Qur’anic Tafsir session coinciding with Taraweeh prayers. The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that five worshippers were killed and three others injured when the attackers opened fire around 8:30 p.m. Police spokesperson Bashir Usman described the incident as a reprisal attack by suspected terrorists, adding that security operatives have been deployed to restore calm and begin investigations.

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In Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, suspected bandits abducted several residents during a late-night raid. Witnesses said the attackers fired sporadically before moving house-to-house. The number of abductees remains unclear. The raid occurred barely a week after 16 residents were kidnapped in the same area, with gunmen reportedly demanding N20 million and three motorcycles as ransom. Recurring bandit attacks in Sokoto have severely disrupted farming activities and daily life, forcing many families to flee.

In Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, suspected bandits kidnapped four members of the same family from their farmland around 5 a.m. Wednesday. Community sources said five relatives were initially rounded up, but an elderly man was later released while four others were taken to an unknown location. The abduction sparked protests in Ilorin, where youths under the Coalition of Kwara North Youths demanded urgent government intervention to curb escalating violence in Edu, Patigi and Kaiama LGAs.

Meanwhile, in Plateau State, nine victims of a terror attack in Dorowa Babuje community, Barkin Ladi LGA, were laid to rest in a mass burial attended by grieving residents. Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy Ngo Piyo, vowed that perpetrators would face justice.

Security analysts warn that banditry and insurgency in Northern Nigeria are stretching security forces thin. Contributing factors include the proliferation of small arms, vast forest terrain used as hideouts, weak rural policing structures, and economic hardship. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for expanded funding for the Nigerian Army Aviation wing to strengthen counter-insurgency and anti-bandit operations.

The latest attacks have left dozens dead, displaced families, forced farmers to abandon fields and deepened fear across rural communities. Residents across affected states are calling for decisive, intelligence-driven military operations and stronger federal-state coordination to halt the spiral of violence.

Bandits Kill Scores, Abduct Many in Fresh Attacks Across Northern Nigeria

Suspected Arsonists Set St. Mary’s Catholic Church Ablaze in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that officers of the Nigeria Police Force are investigating a suspected arson attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Katchuan Iruan, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the state police spokesperson, the attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, when unknown attackers allegedly set fire to parts of the church building and property. The blaze reportedly destroyed all church records stored in the sacristy and caused extensive damage to parish assets.

In addition to the documents, the attackers torched two vehicles belonging to the parish priest — a Lexus RX 350 Jeep and a Toyota Corolla — parked within the church compound. Police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and no suspects have been identified so far.

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“The scene has been visited, photographs taken, and the case formally recorded. It has been referred to Okunde Police Station for discreet investigation,” ASP Eitokpah stated, urging the public to provide any information that could help identify the perpetrators.

Local reports indicate that the fire also damaged parts of the church building and possibly some sacred items inside the worship space. Church officials and community members have expressed shock and condemned the attack, emphasizing that it is a direct violation of the sanctity of a place of worship.

Security analysts have warned that attacks on religious institutions in Nigeria are increasingly alarming, highlighting the need for enhanced protection for churches, mosques, and other faith-based facilities. Authorities have assured residents that investigations are being conducted meticulously, and those responsible will face the full force of the law.

Police have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the protection of religious sites and prevent future incidents.

Suspected Arsonists Set St. Mary’s Catholic Church Ablaze in Cross River

Kano Anti-Corruption Commission Recovers Official Vehicles From Resigned Commissioners

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has recovered official government vehicles from five former commissioners who recently voluntarily resigned from the Kano State Executive Council but allegedly failed to return public assets in their custody.

The recovery exercise was carried out on Thursday by operatives of the commission following what officials described as the continued refusal of the affected former commissioners to hand over government vehicles despite repeated official notices.

Those affected include Ibrahim Umar (Air Vice Marshal, rtd), former Commissioner for Internal Security; Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, former Commissioner for Science and Technology; Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Nasiru Sani Garo.

Briefing journalists after the operation, the Chairman of the Commission, Sa’idu Yahaya, said the action became inevitable after the former commissioners failed to comply with several formal requests to return government property assigned to them during their tenure.

Yahaya disclosed that the operation was triggered by official complaints and correspondence from the Office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government, which serves as the custodian of all government vehicles. The office reportedly raised concerns over alleged abuse of office and the urgent need to recover state-owned assets following the officials’ resignation.

According to the commission, five vehicles were recovered from the former commissioners. However, Yahaya revealed that only two of the recovered vehicles were the original official vehicles purchased by the Kano State Government.

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“Investigation revealed that three of the official vehicles had allegedly been sold and replaced with other vehicles. We recovered those replacement vehicles as well,” he said.

He added that the commission has launched a full-scale investigation to determine whether the original vehicles were unlawfully disposed of and whether the proceeds were used to procure the replacements or diverted for other purposes.

“Government assets are not personal property. Once an official leaves office, all government vehicles and assets in their custody must be returned immediately. They were advised to comply, but they refused. We followed due process and obtained a valid court order before carrying out this recovery,” Yahaya stated.

The anti-corruption boss dismissed claims that the operation was politically motivated, insisting that the commission acted strictly within its statutory mandate to protect public assets and enforce accountability.

“This is not witch-hunting. It is about safeguarding the resources of the people of Kano State. No individual is above the law, and we will not tolerate the unlawful retention or disposal of government property,” he said.

Yahaya further warned that the commission would sustain active surveillance and routine audits on the use and custody of public assets, stressing that similar enforcement actions would be taken against any serving or former official found to be in breach of asset return regulations.

“Public trust depends on transparency and accountability. We are determined to strengthen both,” he added.

Providing administrative clarification, a retired senior civil servant, Mohammad Tukur, explained that no existing law or policy permits a commissioner to retain an official vehicle after leaving office, whether by resignation or removal.

“Official vehicles are provided strictly for the performance of official duties. There is no legal provision that allows a commissioner to keep a government vehicle at the end of tenure,” he said.

Tukur noted, however, that only the Governor of Kano State retains the discretionary executive power to approve the retention of a vehicle by any official, and such approval must be explicitly granted.

“Under administrative policy, what commissioners are entitled to upon exit are certain allowances, not government vehicles. Even those allowances may not apply in cases of resignation or dismissal,” he explained.

The development is part of a broader asset recovery and accountability drive by Kano State authorities aimed at curbing abuse of office, protecting public resources, and reinforcing discipline within government institutions.

Kano Anti-Corruption Commission Recovers Official Vehicles From Resigned Commissioners