Suspected terrorists on Monday, April 6, 2026 stormed Debe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State at about 5:00am killing at least 24 villagers.
The unprovoked incident which also witnessed serious destruction of homes, places of worship and business shops, has reportedly left residents of the area in fear and trepidation while the relations of those killed are left to mourn their loved ones.
A statement by the Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Matthew Stephen Kabirat, stated that the terrorists invaded the village and rained bullets on the people.
Fr. Kabirat said the victims cut across religious and social groups, thereby underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the brutal attack, adding that amongst those killed were five members of the Catholic community namely; Solomon Gyara, Amos Kagbede, John Solomon, Luka Ishaku, and Yahaya Ayuba.
The Cleric further said that two others from different Christian denominations—Pastor Ibrahim Mokoshi and Hassan Karaya were also killed just as several traditional worshippers also lost their lives during the attack.
Fr. Kabirat listed the traditional worshippers killed to include; Daura Wojjo, Kogoli Dogo Maigoro, Magandalla Gbakutali, Kalema Gbakutali, Yaron Daura, Abanza Bawa, and Jato Karaya.
He also said six other victims identified as Zamani Tanko, Wanzam Bushe, Shekaru Guntu, Sani Maiginan Rijiya, Awwal Shehu Makeri, and Abakar Lenike are from the Muslims community.
According to Fr. Kabirat; “Beyond the tragic loss of life, the scale of destruction was severe as the Roman Catholic Church in Debe an outstation of Sacred Heart Parish Shafaci of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora was completely razed alongside the residence of the Catechist, Mr. Zakariya Sule.
“Many homes were also destroyed, as local businesses suffered significant losses as well with at least 14 shops burnt, thereby dealing a heavy economic blow to the already vulnerable community,” he said.
However, community leaders say search and recovery efforts are still ongoing, thereby raising fears that the death toll may be higher.
Some of the villagers, it was further gathered have fled the community and are presently displaced, a development that led to urgent calls on both the federal and State governments to urgently intervene with humanitarian support for the affected families.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Nigeria Police Command in Kebbi State, said that suspected Mamudawa terrorists attacked Gebe, Kawara, Kalkami, and nearby villages in Shanga Local Government Area.
The police in a statement by SP Bashir Usman, spokesperson of the command said that the terrorists too advantage of the wetland terrain, adding that invaders set the communities on fire, and in addition to the lives that they wasted.
While expressing the Command’s deepest condolences to the affected families, Usman said security agencies including the Police Tactical Units, the military, Marine Police, and local vigilantes have been deployed to restore normalcy, secure the affected areas, and ensure the safety of the residents.
