At least 25 people were killed and several homes burned after gunmen attacked two villages late Tuesday in Nigeria’s Adamawa State, residents and the state governor said on Wednesday.
The attackers struck Kirchinga village in Madagali district and Garaha village in neighbouring Hong district, both located on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The raids underscore the persistent insecurity in northeast Nigeria, the epicentre of a 17-year Islamist insurgency, despite sustained military operations by government forces.
Abubakar Lawan Kanuri, the village head of Kirchinga, said the assailants arrived in the evening wearing military-style uniforms, initially leading residents to believe they were soldiers on patrol. He told Reuters that 18 bodies were recovered after the attackers swept through the village.
In Garaha, seven people were killed when gunmen riding more than 50 motorcycles stormed the village and attacked a nearby military base, according to resident Musa Isa, who said he narrowly escaped.
The attackers advanced from several directions, striking the military position and killing three soldiers. Four residents fleeing the violence were shot dead, and a school was set ablaze. Many villagers have since fled to the nearby town of Mubi, Isa added.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri condemned the attacks as “cowardly acts of terrorism” and said authorities would not allow militants to undermine efforts to restore peace and stability, according to a statement issued by his spokesman.