A wave of coordinated violence has once again swept across Nigeria’s northern landscape, claiming the life of a high-ranking military officer in Borno State and leaving a trail of carnage in a rural Kebbi community. The dual-theatre offensive underscores the persistent volatility of the security situation as insurgents intensify their strikes against both state forces and civilian populations.
- +Terrorists kill Army general, 24 others in renewed attacks on Kebbi, Borno
In Borno State, the heart of a long-running insurgency, a Nigerian Army Brigadier General fell in the line of duty during a fierce engagement with terrorists.
In Borno State, the heart of a long-running insurgency, a Nigerian Army Brigadier General fell in the line of duty during a fierce engagement with terrorists. The officer, identified as a Commanding Officer, was killed in Benesheikh, within the Kaga Local Government Area.
His death followed a series of synchronised late-night raids launched on Wednesday across four distinct locations, including Pulka and Bakin Ruwa in the Gwoza Local Government Area at about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
During these incursions, insurgents reportedly overwhelmed a military installation and set several pieces of hardware ablaze.
A top security source said, “Sadly, we’ve lost another brave soldier in the battle against terrorism in Benesheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, who was an Army Commanding Officer.
“May Allah rest his soul, grant his family the strength to bear the loss, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
“As we mourn this loss, our government needs to continue strengthening its intelligence and protection mechanisms to further support our security personnel, the real men who safeguard both the rulers and the ruled.”
While the northeast grappled with these military losses, a separate but equally devastating assault unfolded in the northwest. In the early hours of Monday, suspected members of the Mamudawa terror group launched a pre-dawn siege on the Debe community in the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The attackers exploited the difficult wetland terrain to catch the village off guard, executing a massacre that claimed at least 24 lives around 5 am. A Catholic church and several shops were set ablaze, forcing many residents to flee for safety.
In a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Matthew Stephen Kabirat, director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, the attackers reportedly stormed the village and carried out indiscriminate killings across religious and social groups.
Kabirat identified five members of the Catholic community among the victims as Solomon Gyara, Amos Kagbede, John Solomon, Luka Ishaku and Yahaya Ayuba. Two other Christian leaders—Pastor Ibrahim Mokoshi and Hassan Karaya—were also confirmed dead.
Several adherents of traditional religions were also killed in the attack, including Daura Wojjo, Kogoli Dogo Maigoro, Magandalla Gbakutali, Kalema Gbakutali, Yaron Daura, Abanza Bawa and Jato Karaya.
According to the statement, six Muslim residents—Zamani Tanko, Wanzam Bushe, Shekaru Guntu, Sani Maiginan Rijiya, Awwal Shehu Makeri and Abakar Lenike—were also among those killed, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the assault.
Beyond the loss of lives, the attackers razed the Roman Catholic Church in Debe, an outstation of Sacred Heart Parish in Shafaci under the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, as well as the residence of the church catechist, Zakariya Sule.
Local sources said many houses were destroyed during the raid, while at least 14 shops were burnt, dealing a heavy economic blow to the already vulnerable agrarian community.
Community leaders disclosed that search and recovery operations were still ongoing as of Tuesday, raising fears that the death toll could rise further. Many residents have reportedly fled the area, leaving the community largely deserted.
Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Command said suspected members of the Mamudawa terror group attacked Gebe, Kawara, Kalkami and nearby villages in Shanga Local Government Area, exploiting the difficult wetland terrain to launch the assault.
SP Bashir Usman, the command’s Public Relations Officer, said the attackers set several communities on fire, resulting in multiple casualties.
He said security forces, including police tactical teams, the military, the Marine Police and local vigilantes, had been deployed to restore calm, secure affected communities and prevent further attacks.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over persistent attacks across Northwest Nigeria, where banditry and armed raids have repeatedly targeted rural communities, leading to mass displacement and loss of lives.
