25 Killed in Boko Haram Attacks on Adamawa Towns

At least 25 people were killed in attacks by Boko Haram in Adamawa State, targeting Madagali and Hong. Governor Adamu Umaru Fintiri condemned the violence, which is part of a long-running insurgency that has caused thousands of deaths and mass displacement, according to the United Nations.

At least 25 people have been confirmed dead following two separate terrorist attacks in northeastern Nigeria’s Adamawa State, according to local officials cited by the Agence France-Presse (AFP). The coordinated assaults targeted the towns of Madagali and Hong, both located near the border with Cameroon. Authorities and residents attributed the attacks to militants from Boko Haram, an extremist group that has carried out a violent insurgency in the region since launching its campaign in 2009.
According to a local government official in Madagali who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, the first attack occurred on Tuesday evening when gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram fighters stormed a busy market in the town. The assailants reportedly arrived on multiple motorcycles, a tactic frequently used by insurgent groups to carry out swift raids before escaping. “Gunmen we believed to be Boko Haram on many motorcycles attacked the market. They opened fire on people and killed 21,” the official said. He added that the death toll could rise as search efforts continued. Some victims, he explained, may have fled into surrounding bushes after sustaining gunshot wounds and could have died while attempting to escape the violence. Local authorities and community members were still combing nearby areas in search of additional bodies.
In addition to killing civilians, the attackers reportedly looted the market, carting away food supplies and stealing several motorcycles. The theft of food items highlights the persistent humanitarian strain in the region, where many communities are already struggling with shortages caused by years of conflict and displacement.
In a separate but related attack in neighboring Hong, four more people were killed, including three members of the security forces. A resident of the town, Ezekiel Musa, told AFP that the attackers struck shortly after leaving Madagali. “Boko Haram attacked us after they left the town. We saw the corpses of three soldiers and one woman was killed,” Musa said. His account suggests the militants moved between the two towns in quick succession, targeting both civilians and security personnel.
Following the violence, security forces were deployed to the affected communities in an effort to prevent further attacks and reassure residents. However, fear has continued to grip many inhabitants. “Now the town has security personnel but some of us have already started leaving the town because of fear of what happened,” Musa said, indicating that the renewed violence has triggered fresh displacement among residents who worry about potential follow-up assaults.
The governor of Adamawa State, Adamu Umaru Fintiri, condemned the attacks in an official statement, although he did not provide an updated casualty figure. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and stability across the state. “We will not let terrorists undermine our efforts to restore peace and stability,” Fintiri said. He also issued a stern warning to those responsible for the violence, stating, “I warn perpetrators: desist from these senseless attacks or face the full weight of our collective resolve.”
The insurgency launched by Boko Haram in 2009 has had devastating consequences for northeastern Nigeria. According to the United Nations, more than 40,000 people have been killed and over two million displaced as a result of attacks by Boko Haram and militants affiliated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), also known as Daesh-linked fighters. The prolonged conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods, education, and healthcare systems, leaving communities vulnerable and heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance.
Beyond the Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria continues to face mounting insecurity from other armed groups operating across the northern part of the country. Banditry, kidnappings for ransom, and communal clashes have compounded the security crisis, stretching the capacity of security agencies and deepening concerns about safety and stability in affected regions.