Bandits Kill 42, Kidnap Women and Children in Deadly Attacks on Villages in Nigeria’s Kontagora Catholic Diocese

“They crossed into Kebbi State, north of Shafaci, and proceeded to the village of Kaiwa, where they killed five people and set fire to houses and grain stores. They then moved on to Gebe, where they killed two more people,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest said.

He said that on the evening of 1 January 2026, the bandits passed through Shafaci again and burnt documents at the police station before spending the night in the bush. 

On the morning of 2nd January 2026, they passed near Bako-Mission and the Tungan Kure junction near Pissa Village, where they gave some individuals a telephone number to be delivered to the District Head of Pissa and the Village Head of Sokonbora.

At about 10:00 a.m. on January 2, the bandits entered the Catholic Church compound in Sokonbora and destroyed a crucifix, pictures of the Stations of the Cross, and musical instruments, Fr. Kabirat recounted.

He further said the bandits also stole two motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash from the Catholic Church in Sakonbora.

More in Africa

Episcopal Conference “not a political party”: Archbishop in Cameroon Cautions against Attempts to Manipulate the Church

Read the article

“After leaving Sokonbora, they occupied some Kambari compound nearby, where they spent the rest of that day until the afternoon of the next day, 3rd January, 2026, eating the chickens and goats of the people,” the Director of Social Communications further recounted.

He continued, “Towards the evening of the 3rd January 2026, they left the Kambari compound near Sokonbora and entered the village of Kasuwan Daji, about 8 kilometres from Sokonbora,” the Priest narrated.

He explained that Kasuwan Daji is a small village with a large Wednesday market. 

The bandits, he said, “set fire to the market and surrounding houses, slaughtering 42 men after tying their arms behind their backs.”

“These victims were both Christians and Muslims; they also kidnapped an unknown number of women and children,” Fr. Kabirat added.

He said the particular group of bandits has been roaming freely across the northern part of Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State and the southern part of Shanga Local Government Area in Kebbi State, between 28 December 2025 and January 3, without being challenged by security forces.

As a result, Fr. Kabirat said, the Papiri school children who were recently released from captivity have been further traumatised.

The children, he said, “are forced to hide in the bush with their families whenever reports indicate that the bandits are nearby, both day and night.”

“Panic is now widespread around the villages, where rumours abound,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest said.

He added, “In this entire area, there are many villages. However, there is not a single large town where people can run to for safety. Nevertheless, people are evacuating the area in large numbers, abandoning their homes and properties.”

(Story continues below)

“In view of the above, it is clear that pending the elimination of the bandits and their hideouts in Kanji Game Reserve, there is an immediate need for a large and well-equipped military task force in the area capable of and empowered to pursue, engage, and eliminate the bandits whenever they come out of the game reserve again for further attacks,” Fr. Kabirat said.

He added, “Without such a task force, there will be a massive and ongoing loss of life and permanent displacement of large numbers of people.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.