By Ezinwanne Onwuka
(Abuja) Militants killed a Brigadier General as attacks spread across northern Nigeria in the 7-day period following Easter Sunday, forcing more than 20 villages to empty out overnight. A total of at least 133 civilians and security personnel were killed from April 5 to April 13. At least 150 civilians were abducted, chiefly in Niger State, with additional unquantified kidnappings likely in other affected areas.
A Commander Falls
At about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province stormed military positions in Benisheikh, near Maiduguri in battle-scarred Borno State on Lake Chad.
They overran forward posts and cut through defenses, killing at least 17 soldiers—including a captain, the brigade’s imam, and a Civilian Joint Task Force member—according to multiple media reports like this and this.
At the center of the assault was Brig. Gen. Oseni Omoh Braimah, the Brigade Commander, who led the resistance until the end. He died on the battlefield, holding the line against the sustained night attack.
The military said troops fought back fiercely and forced the attackers to retreat. In a statement, Defence Headquarters said, “brave and gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty.”
However, authorities disputed the reported death toll. They said only two officers and two soldiers were killed and rejected claims that a Brigade Commander died in the attack.
Midnight Killings in Plateau
Around 9:00 p.m. that same day, armed Fulani militia attacked Mbwelle village in Plateau State, killing eight people. Five victims were from one family—a father, mother, and their three children.
Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, described the attack in a post on X.
“According to local residents, the attack began around 9:00 p.m. with sporadic gunfire as families prepared for bed. The silence of the night was shattered as gunshots intensified and spread across the village forcing people to flee in terror,” he wrote.
“Unknown to many, the attackers had already positioned snipers along escape routes, shooting at anyone attempting to run for safety. Others who stayed inside their homes were not spared including a pregnant woman who was killed together with her unborn child.”
He added, “Survivors recount how the assailants shot victims and attacked others with machetes while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.’”
The attack lasted about two hours, with no intervention from security forces stationed less than two miles away.
Easter Bloodshed in Adamawa
On Easter Sunday, gunmen believed to be Boko Haram fighters attacked Yinagu village in Madagali County of Adamawa State.
Around 7:00 p.m., they encircled the village and opened fire. Five Christians were killed as residents fled.
The attack was part of a wider wave of violence during Easter. TruthNigeria verified report put civilian deaths at 55 across northern Nigeria over the weekend, though Adamawa casualties were not included in that count.
Madagali has faced repeated attacks in recent months. In February 2026, at least 20 people were killed in a similar assault.
Threat Letters Spark Panic, Empty Villages
Days earlier, bandits issued chilling demands to communities in Kankia County (Local Government Area) of Katsina State.
They ordered villagers to deliver 700 cows and 1,000 sheep by April 10 or face attacks.
Panic followed. Communities like Rimaye and Sukunturi fled without waiting. Entire villages—Kunduru, Tsa, Magam, Unguwar Tsamiya, Walawa, and Tudun Wulli—were abandoned.
Some residents sold livestock at giveaway prices. Others left everything behind.
By the time authorities stepped in and urged calm, at least seven villages were already deserted.
Locals say the bandits, led by a man identified as Muhammadu, now move freely after relocating to Rimaye following a split within his group.
In neighboring Sokoto State, residents of at least 21 villages fled following repeated threats and attacks by bandits, Daily Trust reports.
The villages affected include these: Gidan Kare, Kaware, Chabi, Dattabi, Janwake, Sha Rana, Darbekami, Gidan Sule, Kuruwa, Mahuta, Dantayawa, Kawala, Bagirbe, Tsattsagi, Katsira, Imasa, Bela, Hura Girke, Galadimmai and Asha Ruwa.
A resident of Sha Rana said they escaped on Thursday evening after learning of a planned large-scale attack.
Police Ambushed in Katsina
On April 7, bandits on 30 motorcycles ambushed a police convoy near Sabon Garin Garu in Musawa County (Local Government Area) of Katsina.
The officers, from the Police Mobile Force, came under heavy fire. A gun battle followed. Three officers survived. Two did not.
Sergeant Bilyaminu Babangida and Police Constable Abdulaziz Musa were killed. Their weapons were taken.
Reinforcements later sealed off the area and launched a search. Yet the attackers escaped.
Killings and Abductions Spread
That same day, April 7, armed militia attacked villages in Baga, Shiroro County (Local Government Area) of Niger State, killing five people and abducting more than 150 others.
They burned homes and forced residents into trucks at gunpoint. Security forces only arrived after the attackers had left.
In Benue in Central Nigeria, about 20 armed men stormed Uvir in Guma County. They killed a devoted Catholic mother, Mrs. Utsuwa Chicha, and her three sons inside their home. 12 others were killed in Benue in this week, according to TruthNigeria sources.
Killings in Southeast: 10 were killed in violent attacks: these included 6 in Imo; 2 in Enugu and 2 in Abia.
Forest Guards Slain in Kwara
Violence reached Kwara State in the early hours of April 10.
At about 3:20 a.m., suspected terrorists attacked security personnel in Kaiama County, killing five forest guards.
The attackers seized AK-47 rifles and ammunition. They also burned motorcycles, destroyed an Explosive Ordnance Disposal vehicle, and looted police equipment.
Others killed in southwestern states during this period included 5 from Kogi; 2 from Ondo; and 2 from Ekiti, according to TruthNigeria reporters.
Airstrike Tragedy
As the week peaked in violence, an all-too-familiar tragedy struck.
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets targeted Boko Haram fighters at Jilli Market, Gubio County between Borno and Yobe states. The militants had reportedly entered the market to extort levies and buy supplies.
But the strike missed. Bombs hit civilians instead. Traders were in the middle of business when explosions began. Reports say at least 56 civilians were killed while 14 others were injured.
The NAF confirmed the operation. “Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave,” an official statement said.
“Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions.”
However, NAF also said it is investigating claims of civilian casualties.
Ezinwanne Onwuka writes special features for TruthNigeria.
