Fresh Terror Grips Kebbi Community Hours After Rescue Operation
Fear has returned to Kebbi State as armed bandits launched another devastating attack on the Kurmaci community in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, merely 24 hours after security forces successfully rescued 24 abducted schoolgirls from the same region.
The latest assault occurred late Wednesday night when more than 30 heavily armed bandits stormed the sleeping village, kidnapping an unspecified number of residents and leaving several others injured. This brazen attack marks the third major incursion against the community within a single month, highlighting the deteriorating security situation in northwestern Nigeria.
Residents Describe Repeated Attacks
Local resident Aliyu Dan Galadima provided harrowing details to journalists, confirming the pattern of violence that has plagued the area. "We have been attacked repeatedly by bandits. Some of our people were killed, while those abducted are yet to be released," he revealed.
The community's vulnerability is compounded by recent attacks on neighboring areas. According to Galadima, armed men had previously invaded Gandun Wasagu, another community within the same local government, abducting several people. "This is one of the many attacks we have witnessed. It is unfortunate that this area has become a major target," he added.
Residents are now urgently appealing to both state and federal authorities for immediate deployment of security personnel to the affected regions. The community's desperate plea emphasizes the need for permanent security presence to enable normal daily activities and prevent further attacks.
Geographical Vulnerability and Security Response
The persistent attacks on communities including Kurmaci, Gandun Wasagu, and Bena are largely attributed to their strategic location along volatile border areas connecting Zamfara and Kebbi States. These villages sit directly on major bandit movement corridors from the Zamfara-Niger axis, making them frequent targets for criminal elements.
When contacted about the latest incident, Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer CSP Nafiu Abubakar stated that he was not yet aware of the new attack. He indicated plans to contact the Divisional Police Officer in the area for clarification but had not provided additional details as of press time.
This fresh abduction crisis comes just one week after more than 40 residents were reportedly taken from other communities within the same local government, raising serious concerns about the escalating insecurity in Nigeria's northwestern region.
Military Operations Continue Amidst Crisis
Despite the recent setbacks, military operations against bandits continue in the region. Troops of 8 Division/Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, conducted clearance operations on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, resulting in several terrorists and bandits killed during intense gunfights.
In related developments, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, recently delivered President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's message to Nigerian troops in Zamfara State, urging soldiers to eliminate remaining bandit elements terrorizing northern communities.
The repeated attacks in Kebbi State underscore the ongoing security challenges facing northwestern Nigeria, with communities caught between bandit violence and insufficient protection, despite government assurances and military operations in the region.
