Nigeria: Over 40 Killed in Suspected Jihadist Attacks in the Northwest

Edited By: Africa Eye

More than 40 people are reported to have been killed since the beginning of the week in a series of attacks targeting remote villages in northwestern Nigeria, according to testimonies from residents and local officials.

The assaults, which began on Sunday evening, affected at least eight communities in Kebbi State as well as one village in the neighboring Niger State. Local religious leaders confirmed the incidents, describing a particularly heavy human toll.

Police authorities acknowledged that attacks had taken place but did not provide an official casualty figure. No group has formally claimed responsibility so far, although residents and security sources have pointed to a local armed faction known as Mahmuda.

According to a religious leader who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, the death toll could exceed 40, including at least 24 victims in areas inhabited by his community. Another local source reported a similar number of casualties, stating that the attackers fired indiscriminately.

“They killed everyone in sight,” he said, indicating that the violence affected people regardless of religious affiliation, including Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional beliefs.

In addition to the killings, the attackers reportedly set fire to homes, places of worship, and food storage facilities, and also targeted livestock. The violence, which lasted for approximately three days, has delayed burial procedures due to ongoing insecurity.

As a result, around 500 residents are believed to have fled their villages, seeking refuge in churches and schools in the town of Yauri, in Kebbi State.

The region, located near the borders with Benin and Niger, has experienced a rise in armed violence since 2025. The Mahmuda group is believed to be linked to a commander associated with a faction originating from Boko Haram, itself connected to broader jihadist networks in the region.