Tragedy struck several communities in the Shanga area of Kebbi State as at least four people were reportedly killed in a series of attacks by a new terrorist group known as Mamudawa. The attacks, which occurred between Sunday and Monday, April 5 and 6, targeted communities within the Gebbe District of Shanga Local Government Area, leaving residents in fear and disarray.
According to local sources, the gun-wielding attackers emerged from the Wawa forest, situated in Borgu LGA, and launched coordinated assaults on several villages, including Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara. During the attacks, the assailants reportedly set buildings ablaze, causing significant property destruction in addition to the confirmed fatalities.
“The terrorists burnt down Kawara village on Monday. Shanga Local Government Area has come under persistent attacks by bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers seeking ransom payments in recent times,” a resident familiar with the incident stated. While the total number of victims remains unclear, at least four deaths have been officially confirmed so far.
Confirming the attacks, the Vice Chairman of Shanga LGA, Adamu Gebbe, noted that this was not the first time the Mamudawa terror group had targeted communities in the area. He highlighted the growing threat posed by the group to local security and the urgent need for intervention to protect residents.
Haruna Usman, the district head of Gebbe, added that the attacks had forced most residents to flee for safety. “Many have taken refuge in Gungu, while others have fled into nearby bushes to escape the gunmen,” he said, painting a grim picture of the humanitarian impact of the violence.
The Kebbi State Police Command also confirmed the incident, stating that the Mamudawa terrorists had exploited the wetland terrain of the region to carry out their assaults. Superintendent of Police Bashir Usman, the state police spokesperson, noted that the difficult terrain provided cover for the attackers, complicating immediate law enforcement response.
Security analysts warn that the emergence of the Mamudawa group represents a new and dangerous development in Kebbi State, where communities have long struggled with banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnappings for ransom. The group’s ability to operate across state borders, particularly from forests in neighboring Niger State, highlights the persistent security challenges facing law enforcement agencies in northern Nigeria.
Residents of the affected communities have called on state and federal authorities to urgently intervene to prevent further attacks and provide relief to those displaced by the violence. Many are demanding increased patrols, rapid response units, and the establishment of early warning mechanisms to mitigate the threat posed by the group.
The Shanga Local Government Area has repeatedly experienced similar attacks in recent years, with previous incursions causing deaths, property loss, and large-scale displacement. The latest attacks by Mamudawa terrorists underscore the ongoing vulnerability of rural communities in the region and the need for sustained security measures.
While police have confirmed the attacks and initiated investigations, officials have yet to provide details on potential suspects or the progress of operations aimed at apprehending the perpetrators. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns continue to mount, as fleeing residents face challenges related to food, shelter, and basic necessities in temporary shelters and makeshift refuge areas.
The attacks in Shanga LGA serve as a stark reminder of the broader security crisis affecting northern Nigeria, where terrorist and bandit activities have disrupted livelihoods, education, and local economies. Observers stress that without coordinated interventions involving community engagement, intelligence gathering, and cross-border security cooperation, groups like Mamudawa will continue to threaten peace and stability in the region.
Authorities have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements while promising to intensify security operations in and around the affected communities. However, locals emphasize the urgency for immediate action, given the psychological trauma and ongoing fear resulting from repeated assaults.
As the situation develops, attention is focused on both immediate humanitarian relief for displaced residents and strategic measures to dismantle terrorist networks operating in Kebbi and neighboring states, ensuring that such attacks do not recur.
