Terrorists Kill 15 in Coordinated Attacks on Kebbi Villages

At least 15 people were killed in coordinated terrorist attacks on several villages in Kebbi State, northwest Nigeria. Armed attackers opened fire on residents and burned homes in communities including Kalkami and Kawara, forcing many to flee. The violence is part of a growing wave of attacks in the region, linked to extremist groups expanding their presence since 2025.

Terrorists carried out a wave of coordinated attacks on several villages in northwest Nigeria, killing at least 15 people, according to accounts from local residents who spoke to AFP on Monday. The assaults occurred in the Shanga district of Kebbi State, where multiple rural communities were targeted in a violent rampage that has heightened fears among residents.
The affected villages include Gebe, Kawara, Kalkami, and surrounding settlements. While the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that the attacks took place, its spokesperson, Bashir Usman, did not provide an official death toll. However, residents from at least two of the attacked communities reported that no fewer than 15 people were killed during the incidents, with many others displaced.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction as armed attackers stormed the villages, opening fire on unsuspecting residents and setting homes ablaze. Usman Yahaya, a resident of Kalkami who was forced to flee for safety, recounted the ordeal, explaining that the attackers reportedly crossed into the area from neighbouring Niger State. He said the gunmen began shooting indiscriminately at villagers and torching houses, leaving devastation in their wake. According to him, at least 10 people were killed in Kalkami alone.
In Kawara village, another survivor, Malam Dan Tani Muhammad, said the attackers struck in the early hours of Monday morning. He reported that five people were killed during the assault, with several homes also burned down, forcing residents to abandon their properties and seek refuge elsewhere.
Kebbi State, which shares borders with both Benin and Niger, has increasingly come under threat from armed groups. Since 2025, the region has witnessed a growing number of violent incursions, raising concerns about cross-border movements of terrorist elements and the expanding reach of insurgent networks.
According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), there has been a noticeable surge in terrorist activities in the area. The attacks are believed to be linked to extremist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Daesh, whose influence appears to be spreading into previously less-affected parts of northwestern Nigeria. The continued violence has intensified security concerns and placed additional pressure on authorities to curb the escalating threat and protect vulnerable rural communities.