The attackers opened fire on the community, burned homes and the local market, and looted shops for food during the raid on Saturday, January 3, evening.
Residents say the death toll may exceed 40, with many still missing, including children abducted during the attack.
The gunmen are also believed to have carried out raids that began on Friday (January 2, 2026), in the nearby villages of Agwarra and Borgu. “Women and children were not spared,” said Dauda Shakulle, who was wounded while fleeing. “There has been no presence of security forces since the attacks began. We are currently recovering corpses.”
Nigeria has for years grappled with armed groups, known locally as “bandits,” that raid villages and abduct people for ransom, particularly in the northwest and central parts of the country.
Banditry has intensified in recent months, and in early December 2026, Defense Minister Badaru Abubakar resigned amid the spate of abductions.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s northeast has been beset by an Islamist insurgency, with militants also carrying out kidnappings. DW, Louis Oelofse, Louis Oelofse
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