BREAKING: NEW TERRORIST GROUP ‘MAMUDAWA’ ATTACKS KEBBI COMMUNITIES, KILLS FOUR

A newly identified terrorist group known as Mamudawa has launched deadly attacks on several communities in the Shanga area of Kebbi State, killing at least four people and displacing many residents. The coordinated assaults were carried out on Sunday and Monday in the Gebbe District of Shanga Local Government Area, according to multiple security and local sources.

The attackers were reported to have emerged from the Wawa Forest in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State to carry out the raids. A resident, Yisa Ahmed, disclosed that the assailants set multiple buildings ablaze in Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara communities during the attacks. It was further gathered that Kawara village was completely razed on Monday as the terrorists intensified their operations.

A local who spoke on condition of anonymity said the exact casualty figure remains unclear but confirmed that no fewer than four persons lost their lives. “We are yet to ascertain the exact number of deaths in the attack, but no fewer than four persons were killed by the bandits,” the source said.

The Vice Chairman of Shanga Local Government Area, Adamu Hamza Gebbe, confirmed the incident to journalists, noting that this was not the first time the area had suffered such attacks. The District Head of Gebbe, Alhaji Haruna Usman, also confirmed the incident, stating that many residents of the affected communities had fled for safety following the attacks. He added that some displaced persons are currently taking refuge in Gungu, while others remain hiding in nearby forests to escape further violence.

The Kebbi State Police Command officially confirmed the attack, identifying the perpetrators as members of the Mamudawa terrorist group. In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, the police detailed the assault. “On the night of 5th April 2026, suspected Mamudawa terrorists attacked Gebe, Kawara, Kalkami, and nearby villages in Shanga local government area, taking advantage of the wetland terrain. Parts of these communities were set on fire, and lives were tragically lost,” the statement read . The police spokesperson added, “They took advantage of the wetland terrain. Parts of these communities were set on fire, and lives were tragically lost” .

The police command expressed its condolences to the families affected and assured residents that security forces are responding. “The command expresses its deepest condolences to the families affected and stands firmly with the communities during this difficult time. Security forces, including Police Tactical Units, the Military, Marine Police, and local vigilantes, are actively deployed to restore normalcy, secure the affected areas, and ensure the safety of residents. Operations are ongoing, and the public is urged to remain calm while further action is taken,” the statement added .

The Shanga Local Government Area has in recent times witnessed a surge in violent attacks by bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers who often demand ransom from victims. The latest violence comes just days after 12 soldiers, including a mobile police officer, were reportedly killed by Lakurawa terrorists in the same area .

The emergence of the Mamudawa group adds to the complex security challenges in northwestern Nigeria. The group is believed to be linked to a faction that operated around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States. Official sources have previously identified Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda, as a leader of a cell called the “Mahmudawa” hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park . Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command reported a separate incident where bandits attacked Gazau village in Isa Local Government Area, abducting six persons during an early morning raid on Monday, further highlighting the deteriorating security situation in the region .