Attacks in Kebbi, Katsina, Plateau, and Adamawa claimed 25 lives, while Nigerian forces intensified operations in the Northeast amid reports of a 73 percent drop in nationwide attacks.
By Ezinwanne Onwuka
ABUJA, Nigeria — Terrorist attacks killed at least 25 civilians, security personnel, and local defenders across four Nigerian states this week, even as the military reported killing 108 suspected terrorists in a series of counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast. The violence included a deadly assault on a village in Kebbi State, attacks in Plateau and Adamawa, and the killing of a prominent Islamic cleric in Katsina, underscoring both the persistence of insecurity and the military’s intensified response.
In just three days, terrorists killed 25 people across Kebbi, Katsina, Plateau and Adamawa states — 12 in Kebbi, 6 in Plateau, 5 in Adamawa and 2 in Katsina. But the military hit back hard, wiping out 108 terrorists in the Northeast.
The killings come as the military says things are actually getting better, with attacks nationwide dropping by 73.3 percent in October — from 367 in September to 98 in October.
14 Killed in Northwest Attacks
In northwestern Kebbi State, suspected Lakurawa terrorists attacked Waiwayi village of Koko-Besse County on October 26 (Monday) and 28 (Wednesday), killing 12 people, including a police inspector.
The Kebbi State Police Command said the attackers killed five people during the first assault and seven in the second.
Police spokesperson SP Bashir Usman confirmed that the inspector died during an exchange of gunfire with the assailants.
The attacks also left homes burned, motorcycles destroyed and shops looted. A video shared on X showed residents as they fled the village for safer locations.
Footage obtained by SaharaReporters showed burned buildings, damaged property and deserted streets in Waiwayi.
A narrator in the video claimed the attackers killed as many as 20 people and destroyed homes and motorcycles while looting shops. However, the police maintained that the death toll stood at 12.
In another attack in the northwest, two motorcycle-riding gunmen killed prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma County, Katsina State.
The assailants opened fire on the men around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26 in front of Masussuka’s residence, inflicting fatal injuries.
Police officers who responded to the incident rushed both victims to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths.
Terrorists Kill Six in Plateau Community
In north-central Plateau State, terrorists attacked Gero community in Jos South County late Monday, October 26, killing six people, according to the police.
A community member, Bot Silas, said the attackers arrived around 10:20 p.m. and opened fire on residents in their shops and a local restaurant.
The sudden shooting sent residents running for safety as the gunmen moved through the community.
Community representatives initially put the death toll at seven, but the Plateau State Police Command confirmed six deaths and said security operatives confronted the attackers, forcing them to flee toward a nearby hillside forest.
The police also reported that one other person sustained injuries.
Boko Haram Kills Five in Adamawa
In Adamawa State, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaya Sikalmi and Gaya Gartsanau communities in Hong County on Monday night, October 26, killing five people.
Two victims died when an improvised explosive device planted along the community’s main entrance road exploded.
The attackers also fired indiscriminately and set residential buildings and business premises ablaze.
The affected communities remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks because of their proximity to the Sambisa forest, a longstanding stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria for more than a decade.
Military Reports Killing 108 Terrorists in Northeast Operations
The Nigerian military reported killing 108 suspected terrorists during a series of operations in the Northeast between October 26 and 30.
On October 26, troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 28 suspected terrorists during engagements at different locations in Kukawa County, Borno State. Six others sustained injuries.
In a separate operation the same day, troops carried out coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) locations in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad, killing 16 fighters.
The military identified three of those killed as Abu Zubiru, an Arab national, and his associates, Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq. Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali of Tunbunma, reportedly sustained severe injuries alongside seven other fighters.
On October 28, the operation’s maritime component attacked suspected terrorist positions in the Lake Chad area, killing eight fighters and injuring 10 others.
An air interdiction mission also killed eight suspected operatives preparing to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Troops destroyed their vehicle, motorcycles and bomb-making materials.
The military reported another 48 terrorist deaths between October 29 and 30 after troops repelled coordinated attacks on military positions in Bitta, Borno State, and the North East Theatre Training School in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
However, the operations claimed the life of one soldier, while two others sustained minor injuries.
Military Reports 73.3% Drop in Attacks
The latest operations came as the Defence Headquarters reported a 73.3 percent decline in attacks across military operational theaters in October.
Director of Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, October 30, saying troops recorded 98 attacks during the month, compared with 367 in September.
Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number with 29 attacks, followed by Operation Hadin Kai with 27 and Operation Fansan Yamma with 24.
Despite the decline, Onoja said troops killed more than 217 suspected terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnap victims during October. Another 70 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured Nigerians that the military will intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for attacks and strengthen security operations across the country.
Ezinwanne Onwuka is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
