No fewer than 27 persons have been reportedly killed following a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
As reported by Vanguard, the insurgents were said to have stormed Shuwari Sholi community, where they opened fire on residents and set several buildings ablaze during an assault that reportedly lasted for hours.
Among those said to have lost their lives was the village head of Shuwari, Bademi Papka, who was identified as a cousin of the state governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and targeted villagers gathered near the market area.
According to the source, many residents were seated under a tree close to the market square when the gunmen began shooting indiscriminately, forcing people to flee towards nearby mountains and bushes for safety.
“They suddenly rode into the village and started firing at those sitting together near the market.
“Some of us managed to escape, but many were not that fortunate,” the eyewitness recounted.
The source added that security operatives in the area were alerted but reportedly reached the community after the assailants had withdrawn.
“The area is relatively calm at the moment, but fear still lingers. We appeal to the authorities to intensify efforts to end these recurring attacks,” he said.
Confirming the incident, a former chairman of Madagali Local Government Area, Maina Ularamu, acknowledged that the attack occurred, though he noted that the exact casualty figure remained uncertain.
He explained that while some accounts put the number of fatalities at about 20, others claimed it was higher, stressing that a clearer assessment would emerge once residents had fully recovered from the panic and confusion that followed the attack.