A fresh wave of violence has rocked Adamawa State after no fewer than 20 people were reportedly killed and more than 400 houses destroyed in a deadly communal clash that has left entire communities in ruins.
The attack, which occurred in Kwah and Gyakan communities in Lamurde Local Government Area, was carried out by suspected ethnic militias in what residents described as a coordinated and brutal assault. According to eyewitness accounts, heavily armed attackers stormed the area in the early hours of Saturday, unleashing violence on unsuspecting villagers. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Sources revealed that the attackers, many of whom arrived on motorcycles, were armed with rifles and machetes as they invaded Gyakan between 5am and 6am. They reportedly opened fire on residents, set homes ablaze, and forced many to flee for their lives. After wreaking havoc in Gyakan, the assailants advanced to nearby Kwah community, where the destruction continued with properties looted and houses burnt to the ground.
The scale of the destruction has been described as devastating, with over 400 homes reduced to ashes and hundreds of residents displaced. While the initial death toll was put at around 11, local sources say more bodies were later recovered, pushing the figure to over 20, with fears it could rise further as search efforts continue.
Residents also expressed frustration over what they described as a delayed response from security agencies, claiming it took more than 30 hours before troops arrived to bring the situation under control. By the time security forces intervened, much of the damage had already been done, leaving families stranded and communities shattered.
Local leaders say the violence is linked to a long standing land dispute that has plagued the area for decades. Reports indicate that the conflict has claimed thousands of lives over the years, with Lamurde considered one of the most volatile مناطق in Adamawa State. Despite the imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew since late 2025, the attacks have continued, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures.
Survivors of the attack are now left to pick up the pieces, with many losing loved ones, homes, and livelihoods overnight. The humanitarian situation is worsening as displaced residents struggle to find shelter and basic necessities.
The latest bloodshed has once again highlighted the deep rooted tensions driving communal conflicts in parts of Nigeria, as well as the urgent need for stronger intervention to prevent further loss of lives.
As the death toll continues to rise and affected families mourn, calls are growing louder for decisive government action to end the cycle of violence and bring those responsible to justice.
