Gunmen Kill Several Residents, Burn Homes in Fresh Attack on Adamawa Communities

At least 25 people have been killed and several homes set ablaze after gunmen launched late-night attacks on two villages in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria, residents and the state government confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, the assailants struck Kirchinga in Madagali Local Government Area and Garaha in neighbouring Hong, communities located on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

The coordinated assaults underscore the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s northeast, the epicentre of a 17-year Islamist insurgency despite prolonged military operations in the region.

Abubakar Lawan Kanuri, the village head of Kirchinga, said the attackers arrived Tuesday evening wearing military uniforms, initially deceiving residents into believing they were troops on patrol. He said 18 bodies were recovered after the gunmen rampaged through the community.

In Garaha, seven people were killed when dozens of gunmen riding more than 50 motorcycles stormed the village and attacked a nearby military base, according to resident Musa Isa, who said he narrowly escaped.

Isa said the attackers advanced from multiple directions, killing three soldiers during the assault on the base. Four residents attempting to flee were shot, while a school building was also set on fire. Many villagers have since fled to Mubi, the nearest major town.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri condemned the attacks as “cowardly acts of terrorism” and pledged not to allow terrorists to undermine efforts to restore peace and stability in the state, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Humwashi Wonosikou.