At least four persons are feared dead following a fresh attack by suspected bandits on communities in Gebbe District of Shanga Local Government Area in Kebbi State.
The attackers reportedly stormed the area on Sunday from the Wawa Forest located in Niger State, which shares a border with the affected communities.
Villages including Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara were targeted during the assault, with several buildings set ablaze. Reports further indicate that Kawara village was again razed on Monday, worsening the destruction across the district.
Although the total number of casualties remains unclear, a local resident, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that at least four people have lost their lives as a result of the нападение.
The Vice Chairman of Shanga Local Government Area, Adamu Hamza Gebbe, confirmed the incident, noting that such attacks have become recurring in the region.
Similarly, the District Head of Gebbe, Haruna Usman, condemned the нападение, revealing that many residents have fled their homes in search of safety. According to him, some displaced persons are taking refuge on Gungu Island, while others have escaped into nearby forests.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
Shanga Local Government Area has remained a hotspot for insecurity, frequently targeted by bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers demanding ransom.
Kebbi is among several North-Western states grappling with banditry, alongside ongoing insurgency in the North-East driven by groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). In Kebbi and neighbouring states, the Lakurawa group has been blamed for multiple attacks, often launching raids from forest hideouts, rustling livestock, and imposing levies on local communities.
Nigeria’s broader security challenges persist despite military operations, with violence spreading across borders into neighbouring countries including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
Efforts to tackle insurgency have included regional cooperation, though the coalition has weakened following Niger’s withdrawal after a diplomatic fallout with Nigeria linked to the 2023 military coup in that country.
More recently, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) began deploying troops to Nigeria to provide technical and training support to local forces combating armed groups. About 200 troops are expected to be part of the deployment.
What you should know
A bandit attack in Kebbi State has left at least four people dead and several communities destroyed, forcing residents to flee.
The attack highlights the persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where armed groups continue to raid villages despite military efforts.
With regional instability and cross-border insurgency, security challenges remain complex, prompting international support such as recent US troop deployment to assist Nigerian forces.
