At least 29 people have been killed after armed men stormed Guyaku village in Adamawa State, in an attack that lasted for hours and left homes and property destroyed.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who visited the community on Monday, expressed grief over the killings, describing the incident as both tragic and unacceptable.
“My heart breaks for the people of Guyaku,” he said. “Today, I stood on the ground where our brothers and sisters were cruelly taken from us. This act of cowardice is an affront to our humanity and will not go unpunished.”
He assured residents that the state government would intensify security efforts, pledging continued support for military operations and local vigilante groups to restore safety in affected areas.
Reports indicate that a regional affiliate of Islamic State West Africa Province has claimed responsibility for the attack, although it remains unclear which faction carried it out.
The incident adds to growing security concerns across parts of northern Nigeria. On the same day, gunmen also attacked an orphanage in north-central Nigeria, abducting 23 children. Authorities later confirmed that 15 of the victims were rescued, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining eight.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but the region has witnessed a rise in kidnappings, often carried out for ransom.
Meanwhile, international attention has continued to focus on insecurity in Nigeria. Donald Trump and some conservative voices in the United States have criticised Nigerian authorities over the protection of civilians, raising concerns about targeted violence.
However, the Nigerian government maintains that attacks affect people across religious and ethnic lines, noting that victims include Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers alike.
Security analysts say the latest attack highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the persistent threat posed by armed groups, as communities continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
