Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have struck a devastating blow in the heart of Adamawa State, killing a former local government councillor and kidnapping his two sons in a late-night raid. The attack targeted Kirchinga, the very hometown of the state's governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, sending shockwaves through the community and raising urgent security concerns.
A Brutal Night Raid in Kirchinga
The violence unfolded on the night of November 28, 2025, in Kirchinga, located within the Madagali Local Government Area. Armed men, believed to be Boko Haram terrorists, stormed the home of Hon. Thlama Sini Gadzama, a respected former councillor who represented Kirchinga Ward. The assailants forcibly dragged him from his residence alongside his children.
According to accounts from local sources and a grieving family member, Gadzama, who suffered from diabetes and hypertension, pleaded with his captors. He explained his inability to trek long distances into the forest and even offered to pay any ransom they demanded. His pleas fell on deaf ears. The terrorists took him to the outskirts of the village, shot him dead, and vanished into the night with his two sons.
A Region Haunted by Persistent Violence
This latest atrocity is a grim reminder of the enduring threat in Madagali, an area that has borne the brunt of Boko Haram's violence for over a decade. The local government area, which borders the notorious Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, serves as a strategic corridor for terrorist movement between Nigeria and Cameroon.
In 2014, the area was fully captured by Boko Haram, witnessing horrific events including mass killings, the burning of churches, widespread abductions, and the displacement of thousands. Although Nigerian military forces later liberated the territory, communities like Kirchinga, Gulak, Shuwa, and others near the forest fringe continue to suffer from intermittent attacks, ambushes, and kidnappings.
Security experts consistently label Madagali as Adamawa's most vulnerable LGA, citing its difficult terrain and closeness to well-established insurgent hideouts.
A Symbolic Strike and Calls for Reinforcements
The choice of Kirchinga for this attack is being interpreted as a deliberate and bold statement. By striking the governor's home community, the terrorists appear to be demonstrating that no place is beyond their reach. "This is a message from the terrorists," a community elder stated. "They want to show that nowhere is out of their reach, not even the governor's village."
The assault has triggered fresh panic, with some residents already fleeing to neighbouring towns. A woman who lost relatives during the 2014 occupation expressed the collective fear: "We thought the worst was behind us. Now it looks like the terrorists are coming back in full force."
In response, local leaders and security volunteers are issuing a desperate appeal to the federal government. They are demanding an immediate reinforcement of military presence in Madagali, including more troops, enhanced surveillance, and greater support for local defense groups. "Madagali needs more boots on the ground, more surveillance, and more support," a local security volunteer emphasized. "We cannot continue to live between hope and fear."
The killing of Hon. Thlama Sini Gadzama and the abduction of his sons underscore a critical security challenge that continues to plague northeastern Nigeria, demanding decisive and sustained intervention.
