By Ezinwanne Onwuka
Between April 20 and 26, at least 77 civilians were killed, including 20 Christian worshippers on Sunday in Adamawa and 18 farmers in Borno, with at least a dozen confirmed abductions and as many as 30 people reported missing in separate incidents. Three soldiers also died, even as the military reported killing more than 50 suspected terrorists in ongoing operations.
Churches and Pastors Attacked Sunday
At least 30 persons were killed in Guyaku community in Gombi County of Adamawa State, which borders Cameroon and is a hotspot for violence by jihadists and criminal gangs, on Sunday evening. The terrorists first opened fire on youths at a football pitch at about 5:00 p.m., then pursued fleeing residents into the village, burning homes, a church, and motorbikes.
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for attacks, saying it “killed at least 25 … Christians” and “torched a church and nearly 100 motorcycles”, according to The Guardian, quoting SITE monitoring group.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment on Monday. He condemned the attack, saying “it will not go unpunished” while he assured that he is “intensifying security operations immediately to restore peace.” In a separate assault in nearby Yedul D, at least 10 more people were killed and property destroyed.
South of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, a young pastor and three members of his family were murdered Sunday night, April 26, according to the Berom tribal association. A Fulani terrorist gang struck Gako village in Riyom County, 35 miles south of Jos, killing 4 in one family of an Ecumenical Church Winning All (ECWA) pastor, Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, and son and one other family member.
Farmland Attacks
At least 18 civilians were killed near Gwoza in Borno State after terrorists ambushed villagers collecting firewood and preparing farmland.
Survivors said the victims were caught in routine farm work ahead of the planting season when gunmen emerged from surrounding bushland without warning and opened fire. There was no time to run.
Gwoza, once captured by Boko Haram and retaken by Nigerian forces in 2015, remains heavily militarized. Yet its rugged terrain continues to serve as a hideout for insurgents who launch periodic raids on nearby communities.
Residents remember Gwoza as a vibrant enclave of Christianity, hosting 174 churches prior to the jihadist insurgency that burned 148 churches from 2013.
In Takum County, Taraba State, six Christians were also killed in separate farm attacks within hours on April 20.
A married couple was ambushed on their way to the fields. The attackers tried to rape the wife; when she resisted, both were killed.
Five hours later, while villagers were still grieving, the attackers returned, killing more residents nearby.
Traditional Kings Targeted
In Benue and Kwara States, violence reached into the heart of traditional authority.
Gunmen stormed the residence of the traditional ruler of Olegabulu community in Agatu County of Benue State, Chief Momo Alexander Awodi on April 23 and wiped out his household—killing the monarch, his wife, and his son. Then they moved to a nearby compound and killed two more people.
The killings came days after Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia ordered security forces to dismantle armed groups hiding in forest camps.
This followed the earlier abductions of two traditional rulers in separate attacks over the weekend in neighboring Kwara State. In the Olayinka community, a newly installed monarch, his wife, and an aide were taken during a midnight raid. Hours later, another ruler was seized in Oloruntele village.
The raids were marked by heavy gunfire which ripped through the midnight silence, leaving residents frozen in fear.
Killings, Kidnappings, and Highway Ambushes
On April 20, Fulani terrorists attacked Awon in Kachia County, Kaduna State killing two residents and abducting seven others. Among the victims were elderly blind men, pregnant women, and critically ill individuals.
Residents noted that the intervention of security agents helped prevent a higher death toll and more abductions. Some families witnessed the killing of loved ones during the assault.
In Kogi State, gunmen stormed Odo-Eri community on April 22, abducting pastors from the Christ Apostolic Church and Redeemed Christian Church of God along with their families.
Residents told TruthNigeria the attackers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire indiscriminately. While the exact number of abducted victims remains unclear, residents estimate that up to 20 people are missing.
In Zamfara State, nearly 100 armed terrorist-bandits blocked a major road, opened fire on a passenger vehicle, and killed a woman and an infant. They abducted a police inspector, Bala Abdullahi, attached to Kaura Namoda Division and made away with his motorcycle.
A combined team of police tactical operatives, military personnel, community protection guards and local hunters was mobilized to the scene, but they came under fire from the bandits, leaving two soldiers wounded.
Military Gains in the North-East
While civilians faced relentless attacks, the Nigerian military reported significant gains in Borno State under Operation Hadin Kai.
Troops repelled coordinated assaults on multiple communities, rescued 15 abducted women and children, and carried out precision airstrikes on ISWAP positions in the Lake Chad region. Attacks on Kanama, Ngoshe and Banki communities were reported to have been repelled without any adverse report, as the insurgents were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw.
Zagazola Makama, a security analyst in the Lake Chad region, reported that more than 50 terrorists were killed in a series of strikes targeting logistics hubs along waterways.
Twenty-four were killed in Kukareta community in Borno on April 23 while more than 30 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were wiped out in a series of precision air interdiction missions conducted in the Lake Chad region of Borno state. The terrorist group has reportedly buried their deceased members.
Loss of Security Forces
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army lost three soldiers on April 20 following an attack on a military base Kaiama County in Kwara State by terrorists. Premium Times reported that the attackers were Ansaru fighters, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, governor of Kwara, confirmed the attack in a social media post.
“Our brave men not only repelled the terrorists and prevented them from accessing the community, but they also ensured that no one was kidnapped as the terrorists had intended,” he noted.
Ezinwanne Onwuka is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
