Terror in Kebbi: 127 Abducted, 6 Killed in Ruthless Bandit Invasion of Danmuntari and Ali Villages
In a disturbing surge of rural violence, at least 127 residents have been reportedly kidnapped and six others brutally killed in a coordinated assault by suspected bandits on two villages Danmuntari and Ali in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack occurred in the early hours of May 27, around 9 a.m., triggering chaos and panic across the region.
Eyewitnesses and local community leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the gunmen, believed to be armed bandits from nearby Zamfara State, stormed the villages in large numbers. Riding on motorcycles and heavily armed, the assailants opened fire on unsuspecting residents and rounded up scores of people before retreating into the surrounding forests.
The two villages, which lie dangerously close to the border with Zamfara a state already notorious for violent criminal activity were left devastated after the attackers unleashed terror, looted homes, and abducted dozens of people, including women and children.
Sources from the community confirmed the identities of the six individuals who lost their lives in the attack. The victims were named as Malam Mudaha, Al’ameen Mohammed, Safwan Abubakar, Tanko Mohammed, Ibrahim Garba, and Inno Mudaha, a woman whose death has sparked particular grief among the villagers.
Their remains were later recovered and taken to the General Hospital in Wasagu, where medical personnel conducted post-mortem examinations. After autopsies were completed, the bodies were released to their families for proper Islamic burial rites.
A senior police official, speaking under anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, acknowledged that the remoteness and rugged nature of the terrain contributed to the delayed security response. “The area is difficult to access, especially on short notice, but we acted swiftly upon receiving the distress call,” the source said.
In the aftermath of the attack, a multi-agency task force has been deployed to the region. The rescue team comprises personnel from the Nigerian Army, officers from the Police Tactical Unit, and members of the local vigilante group. Their primary mission is to search for the abducted villagers and restore security in the affected communities.
“This is a joint effort involving our security partners. We are combing the forest and tracking possible routes used by the attackers,” a police spokesperson stated.
The State Government has yet to issue a formal response, but there is growing pressure from civil society groups and local stakeholders urging immediate intervention. Many residents are calling for increased security presence in vulnerable border communities and more proactive engagement from federal authorities to address the recurring issue of rural banditry.
Security analysts have noted that Kebbi State, once regarded as relatively peaceful in Nigeria’s North-West, has increasingly become a target for criminal gangs fleeing military pressure in other parts of the region, particularly Zamfara and Katsina States.
“This tragic event is another grim reminder that the menace of banditry continues to spread across the northwest. These criminal networks are well-coordinated and emboldened by porous borders and inadequate law enforcement presence,” said Musa Lawal, a public security expert based in Sokoto.
As rescue operations continue, families of the abducted remain in agony, uncertain of the fate of their loved ones. Community leaders have appealed for prayers, urging government agencies to intensify efforts to bring back the victims alive and bring the perpetrators to justice.
