Following United States air strikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State, armed groups have intensified attacks across parts of northern Nigeria.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that no fewer than 47 people have been killed and 35 kidnapped between December 25, 2025, and January 2, 2026.
But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says it has intensified proactive measures to thwart the migration of fleeing terrorists to infiltrate communities across the country.
Some of the attacks were carried out on communities in Adamawa, Zamfara, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Yobe and Kano states by bandits, ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters.
President Donald Trump, last Christmas, announced in a post on his Truth Social platform that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians.
The Defence Headquarters later said intelligence gathered ahead of the mission confirmed the presence of terrorists in the area, adding that a battle damage assessment was still ongoing.
Renewed attacks
However, monitoring of security incidents between December 25 and January 2 shows an escalation in violence, with many communities coming under renewed assault.
A tally of media reports indicates that at least 82 people were either killed or kidnapped during the period. The figure includes more than 35 people abducted and 47 killed, while over 12 others sustained injuries. The actual number of abductees may be higher, as some reports did not disclose figures.
Several people were abducted when suspected bandits attacked the Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In the same council, gunmen also attacked the Odo-Ere community on Sunday night and abducted at least four residents.
On 30 December, women and children travelling from Wanke to Gusau were kidnapped but were later rescued by security forces.
On 27 December, suspected bandits attacked the Adanla community in the Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State and abducted more than eight people.
On 29 December, at least eight people were killed when gunmen carried out coordinated attacks on Kaiwa, Gelawu and Gebbe villages in the Shanga LGA of Kebbi State.
In Zamfara State, 16 women were abducted, two people were killed, and several others were injured when Sabon-Layi village in the Wanke district of Gusau LGA was attacked.
At least seven farmers were reported killed during an attack in Bum community in Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
The traditional ruler of Aafin community, Oba S. Y. Olaonipekun, and one of his sons, who is a National Youth Service Corps member, were abducted in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State.
Gunmen also attacked Kunza community in Ashigye village in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State, killing three people and injuring nine others on 31 December.
On 26 December, bandits kidnapped five travellers along the Ogbe-Egbe Road and injured one other person.
ISWAP also claimed it fired mortars at a Nigerian military camp in Goniri, Yobe State, although the extent of damage was not disclosed.
On Wednesday, a security analyst, Brant Phillips, said ISWAP raided a village, killing 11 “hostile” Christians, destroying a church and over 100 houses and capturing their properties.
This is the first time ISWAP refers to a group of Christians as being “hostile”, following ISCAP using this same wording recently.
A former United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in a post on X, urged Trump to conduct a follow-up strike to increase the pressure on the terrorists.
He said, “Nigeria’s Christians deserve the chance to worship our Lord without fear. If President Trump follows up last week’s strikes against ISIS with a sustained pressure campaign, we’ll see important advances for religious freedom in Nigeria and beyond.”
Boko Haram kills 14 in Adamawa
The Chairman of Hong LGA in Adamawa State, Usman Inuwa, confirmed that Boko Haram killed 14 people in two villages in the local government.
Inuwa, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, said Boko Haram invaded two villages, Mubang and Zar, at night, killing 14 people and injuring two others.
Defence Headquarters Speaks
Director of Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja said the military high command was aware of terrorist factions relocating to some communities in response to military pressure carried out on terrorist locations.
Onoja said the influx of armed herders into certain communities was also being viewed seriously.
“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets are actively monitoring terrorist movements across various operational theatres. Several movements have been identified and are presently being tracked,” he said.
He urged communities to maintain composure, vigilance and cooperation with security agencies.
He further encouraged citizens to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agencies’ formations.
He reiterated the defence headquarters’ commitment to safeguard lives and uphold national security.
“Troops of AFN and other security stakeholders remain committed to denying terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements freedom of action in the country,” he said.
