At least 60 people have been confirmed dead following a wave of coordinated attacks across multiple villages in northwest Nigeria, in one of the deadliest episodes of violence to hit the region this year. The attacks, which spanned several days and targeted communities in both Kebbi and Niger states, have sent shockwaves through the area and renewed urgent calls for stronger government action to protect civilian populations.
Local clergy and humanitarian organisations were among the first to document the scale of the carnage, reporting that the assailants — described as bandits with sophisticated weaponry — struck with ruthless efficiency, burning homes, places of worship, and food stores. In some villages, there were no survivors left to bury the dead.
Villages Under Siege
The violence began in the early hours, with attackers moving from village to village in a coordinated spree that lasted nearly three days. According to reports from local humanitarian sources, at least ten separate villages were hit, with the death toll rising as more communities were reached and more bodies discovered.
In Erena, located in Shiroro local government area of Niger state, at least 20 people were killed in a single assault on Tuesday. Security sources confirmed that the gunmen — described in military reports as “bandits” with “sophisticated arms” — even attacked a military camp, overwhelming sentries before moving on to civilian targets.
A joint security team deployed to the area suffered additional casualties. Police confirmed that two vigilante members and a driver were killed while attempting to defend residents.
A Hunting Party for Survivors
What made the attacks especially horrifying was their methodical nature. Rather than raiding for loot, the gunmen spent their time combing through bushes and hiding spots where villagers had fled for cover, shooting anyone they found alive.
“They were not leaving anything. They were not taking anything. They were to kill and destroy,” one clergy member said, his voice breaking as he described what he had witnessed.
Hundreds of people fled their homes, many with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. At least 500 people have been sheltering in churches and schools in Yauri town, in Kebbi state, unable to return to their villages for fear of further attacks.
The Broader Security Crisis
Kebbi state sits along Nigeria’s porous borders with Benin and Niger, and has seen a sharp escalation in jihadist violence since 2025. The region faces a dual threat: hardened jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as criminal networks commonly referred to as “bandits” who raid villages, kidnap residents, and demand ransom payments.
Police have directly blamed the Mahmuda group for the attacks in Kebbi, though no group has yet officially claimed responsibility for the assault.
Sources: Africanews, AFP, local clergy reports, ACLED conflict monitoring data.