In a chilling wave of violence, suspected bandits stormed three villages in Bauchi State’s Alkaleri Local Government Area in the dead of night, leaving behind a trail of blood and sorrow. At least 15 lives were lost in the brutal attacks, which officials say were carefully coordinated and targeted largely at local vigilante groups struggling to keep the area safe from recurring threats.
The villages of Mansur, Digare, and Sabuwar Sara bore the brunt of the carnage as heavily armed assailants descended shortly after midnight, catching residents off guard. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as gunfire erupted, forcing families to flee into the surrounding bush for safety.
According to initial findings, the victims included members of community vigilante groups who had been defending their villages against the tide of cross-border banditry that has plagued the region in recent years.
Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed outrage over the killings, describing the attacks as “heinous and cowardly.” He disclosed that tactical response teams have been immediately deployed to the affected areas with orders to pursue and apprehend the perpetrators.
“No stone will be left unturned,” the Commissioner assured. “The full weight of the law will be brought down on those who committed these atrocities.”
While calm is gradually returning to the villages, the grief remains raw as families begin the painful task of burying their loved ones. Community leaders have called on the state and federal governments to bolster security in the area and prevent further bloodshed.
This latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s rural communities, where local defenders—often poorly equipped—stand as the first and sometimes only line of resistance against organized criminal gangs.