At least three people have been killed and six others injured after suspected armed attackers invaded the Yafa community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The incident occurred while residents were working on their farmlands on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, according to local sources.
Attack on Farmlands Sparks Fear
A community source told our correspondent that the attackers descended from a mountain top unexpectedly. "Our people were working on their farmlands when suddenly they were attacked by some individuals who came down from a mountain top unexpectedly. Three people were killed on the spot, six were injured," the source said.
The attack has worsened the security situation in the area, forcing many farmers to abandon their fields. Despite earlier displacement due to insecurity, residents had returned to their farms in search of food for survival. "After the last attack, most of us ran away from the community for safety, but we couldn't bear staying away from our own land, so we came back to look for food that we could eat to survive with our families, but unfortunately, we have been deprived of that right. We no longer have the freedom of movement to wherever we want to go because we are not safe anymore," the source lamented.
Kidnapped Residents Rescued
About eight residents were also kidnapped during the attack. The abductors initially demanded 5 million naira as ransom. The community pleaded, and the kidnappers agreed on 3 million naira. The community gathered the money and arranged to deliver it. However, forest guards and the Nigerian Army intervened. "Fortunately, the newly employed forest guards alongside the Nigerian Army helped us rescue the victims. When we took the money, they surrounded the environment without the knowledge of the kidnappers, and they were able to rescue the victims," the source explained.
Food Crisis Looms as Farming Stops
The source highlighted the worsening food crisis in the community. "The main problem we are facing currently is hunger in the community. We do not go to the farm, and we do not have food. We cannot go out without fear of what might happen to us or to the family we leave behind. The attackers have different ways of causing pain to the people silently and unprepared." He called for urgent government and security intervention to protect rural communities. "We need food to survive and stay strong. In a situation where we cannot go to the farm or school, we are in total captivity in our own land. We appreciate the efforts of the government and security personnel, but we need more action to be taken. The silent attack is worse than the open attack. It is when they have affected us silently that they will openly strike," he said.
In a separate incident in Kwara State, armed men invaded Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area between 1:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, killing a man identified as Baba Nnayaya and abducting another resident.
