Terror in Kebbi: Over 127 Abducted, 6 Killed in Deadly Bandit Attack on Danmuntari and Ali Villages

In a horrifying turn of events, over 127 innocent Nigerians have been abducted, and six others brutally murdered in a coordinated bandit attack on Danmuntari and Ali villages, located in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State. This violent incident, which has thrown the affected communities into mourning, occurred on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at around 9 a.m., shaking the region and once again highlighting the growing insecurity across Northwestern Nigeria.

The attack was reportedly carried out by suspected armed bandits who stormed the quiet, agrarian villages situated near the Kebbi-Zamfara border, a region notorious for criminal activity due to its porous terrain and weak law enforcement presence.

According to credible information provided by Zagazola Makama, a respected security analyst and conflict reporter focused on terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria, the gunmen arrived in large numbers, heavily armed and prepared to inflict maximum damage. Villagers who tried to flee were either captured or killed on the spot.

Names of the Victims Confirmed

Tragically, six people lost their lives in the attack. The victims were later identified by local sources and their families as:

• Malam Mudaha

• Al’ameen Mohammed

• Safwan Abubakar

• Tanko Mohammed

• Ibrahim Garba

• Inno Mudaha, a woman who had given birth just two weeks ago.

This tragic loss has sent shockwaves across the community, especially with the heartbreaking death of Inno Mudaha, who was still in her postpartum recovery phase. Her baby is now left orphaned in a community gripped by fear and mourning.

Bodies Released After Autopsy

According to reports, the bodies of the deceased were transported to the General Hospital in Wasagu, where they underwent a routine autopsy. After this procedure, the corpses were released to their families for burial, in line with Islamic rites and local traditions. The burial ceremony was said to have been emotionally overwhelming, with hundreds of mourners attending despite the looming fear of another attack.

127 People Abducted: Where Are They Now?

As of the time of writing this report, no fewer than 127 individuals—including women, children, and the elderly—are still unaccounted for. They are believed to have been kidnapped by the gunmen and taken deep into the bushlands bordering Zamfara State, which is known to be a hotbed for bandit activities and illegal armed camps.

Security experts have raised concerns that these victims may be used either for ransom negotiations or as leverage in negotiations with local authorities. In similar incidents across the Northwestern region, abducted victims have been held in captivity for weeks or even months, only to be released after huge sums of money are paid by families or government negotiators.

Delayed Response Due to Terrain Challenges

Speaking to NaijaRush under conditions of anonymity, a police source explained that the challenging terrain of Danko/Wasagu contributed significantly to the delay in security response.

“The roads leading to Danmuntari and Ali are extremely rugged and barely accessible during the rainy season,” the officer said. “The attackers took advantage of the geographical layout, knowing that reinforcements would arrive late.”

However, the source confirmed that a joint rescue operation has since been launched. This effort comprises:

• Troops of the Nigerian Army

• Tactical Units from the Nigeria Police Force

• Local vigilante groups

All are now combing the forests and border areas in search of the abducted villagers.

“We Are Living in Fear” — Locals Speak Out

Survivors of the attack who spoke to NaijaRush expressed their grief and deep concern over the continued state of insecurity in Kebbi State. A farmer from Danmuntari village, who narrowly escaped the attack, said:

“We are living in fear every day. These people came with guns, on motorcycles. They started shooting and burning houses. We ran into the bush, but many were not so lucky.”

Another resident, whose cousin was among the abducted, added:

“This is not the first time. Last year they came to another village. We reported it, but nothing changed. Now they have taken my cousin and many others. What do we do now?”

Why Kebbi and the Northwest Are Under Siege

Kebbi State, like many others in Nigeria’s Northwest, has become a target for bandit groups who roam the region in search of vulnerable communities. These attacks are part of a broader security crisis that has plagued Nigeria in recent years, with bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists making rural areas increasingly unlivable.

Experts say the causes are multi-faceted, including:

• Weak policing and poor rural surveillance

• High youth unemployment

• Political instability in surrounding states

• Lack of effective border control between local governments and neighboring states like Zamfara

Zamfara, in particular, has been identified as a launchpad for criminal activities, with numerous forest enclaves used as safe havens by terrorists and bandits. The fact that Danmuntari and Ali villages are so close to this border makes them especially vulnerable.

Government’s Silence and the Call for Action

As of now, neither the Kebbi State Government nor the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued an official statement on the May 27 attack. The silence is troubling to many Nigerians, especially in light of the escalating frequency of such incidents.

Many are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the country’s security chiefs to take more decisive action, not just in responding to attacks, but in preventing them.

Human rights advocates and community leaders are also urging the National Assembly to pass more robust rural security bills and provide adequate funding for local security outfits. Without this, they argue, the security agencies will remain reactive instead of proactive.

Conclusion: Time for Real Solutions, Not Sympathy

The attack on Danmuntari and Ali villages is yet another dark chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing battle with banditry and rural insecurity. The loss of six innocent lives, the abduction of over 127 others, and the psychological trauma left in the wake of the violence is a brutal reminder that rural Nigerians are still very much under siege.

While joint security operations are a step in the right direction, they are not enough on their own. The people of Kebbi and other affected states deserve long-term solutions — better policing, more surveillance, socio-economic reforms, and decisive action from the highest levels of government.

As one local elder in Wasagu aptly put it:

“We don’t want politicians to visit us for photo ops or share rice. We want our villages to be safe again. We want to sleep without fear.”