…Raze Houses in Niger, Burn School in Chibok
…Gunmen Shoot Traditional Ruler’s Wife in Ondo
By Peter Salami
Nigeria witnessed another wave of deadly violence at the weekend as bandits and insurgents launched coordinated attacks across Kebbi, Niger, Borno and Ondo states, leaving at least 24 people dead, several properties destroyed and a traditional ruler abducted.
The attacks, which occurred in different parts of the country, underscored the worsening security situation despite repeated assurances by authorities that efforts were being intensified to tackle banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
The deadliest incident occurred in Kebbi State, where suspected bandits killed 20 residents during an attack on the Fesken Rafi community in Arewa Local Government Area.
The assault triggered fresh fears among residents and renewed calls for stronger security measures in vulnerable rural communities.
The Kebbi State Government expressed shock and grief over the killings, describing the attack as tragic and unacceptable.
Deputy Governor Umar Tafida, who led a government delegation to the community on a condolence visit, assured residents that additional security personnel and operational resources would be deployed to the area to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among the people.
“We share in your grief and remain committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kebbi State,” Tafida said.
Chairman of Arewa Local Government Area, Sani Tela, and the member representing Arewa Constituency in the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Nuradeen Kangiwa, told the delegation that the attack had inflicted significant losses on the community.
Traditional leaders, including the Dikkon Kabi, Alhaji Kabiru Sulaiman, who represented the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, appealed for the construction of a road linking Fesken Rafi to the main highway, arguing that improved access would enhance security response and facilitate economic activities.
In neighbouring Niger State, suspected bandits killed three persons and set several houses ablaze during an attack on Pissa village in Borgu Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the attack occurred around 9 a.m. on Saturday.
According to him, the attackers invaded the community, killed three residents, and torched houses before security forces responded.
“The report received indicated that suspected bandits invaded Pissa village in Borgu LGA. Three persons were reportedly killed during the attack, and some houses were set ablaze,” Abiodun said.
He disclosed that military personnel engaged the attackers, although details of the encounter were still being compiled.
In Borno State, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area, killing one person and burning parts of a secondary school.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday evening, targeted the junior secondary section of Government Day Secondary School in the village.
Kautikari is one of the communities within Chibok, the area that gained international attention following the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in 2014.
The Education Secretary of Chibok Local Government Area, Malah Kyari, confirmed that the insurgents killed a resident and destroyed educational infrastructure.
“I can confirm that the insurgents attacked the Kautikari community, killed one person and set ablaze a block containing five classrooms and an office at Kautikari Junior Secondary School,” he said.
The Borno State Police Command also confirmed the attack, stating that joint security forces successfully repelled the insurgents and prevented further destruction.
Police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the attackers met stiff resistance from security personnel.
“The suspected insurgents faced strong resistance from joint security forces, averting further losses. The area is calm and intensive patrols are ongoing,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Ondo State, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted the traditional ruler of the Ode Oriya community in Owo Local Government Area, Oba Adeniyi Adelana, after invading his residence on Saturday night.
The assailants reportedly arrived in the community at about 8:30 p.m. and stormed the monarch’s home.
During the attack, they shot the monarch’s wife before whisking the traditional ruler away into a nearby forest.
Sources said the attackers were heavily armed and operated for several minutes before escaping.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said the monarch’s wife was receiving medical treatment while security operatives had launched a rescue operation.
Police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said tactical teams had been deployed to comb forests and adjoining communities in search of the abducted monarch.
“A comprehensive search-and-rescue operation was immediately activated, with security operatives combing nearby forests, bush paths, and suspected escape routes in a determined effort to track the movement of the kidnappers, secure the victim’s safe release, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Jimoh said.
He assured residents that the command remained committed to rescuing the monarch and urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
The latest attacks add to growing concerns over the escalating wave of insecurity across the country, with communities in several states increasingly coming under attack from bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of current security measures.