Weekly Attack Report
By Ezinwanne Onwuka
A week of coordinated assaults across Kogi and Plateau States left at least 34 people dead and entire communities fleeing for safety, according to eyewitnesses and independent reporting. In Edede, where three residents were killed in a midday attack, survivors described running through burning homes; in Plateau, families were cut down in their houses as gunmen moved from room to room under cover of heavy rain.
The coordinated attacks alleged by eyewitnesses to be by Fulani Ethnic Militia left at least 33 civilians and one police officer dead, and 21 others injured.
Back-to-Back Attacks in Kogi
In Kogi State, Fulani terrorists struck communities in Bassa and Dekina Counties.
In Edede, a suburb of Oganenigu in Dekina, the assailants attacked on Tuesday (May 5) between noon and 1:00 p.m., killing three people, including a teenager.
But the deaths tell only part of the story. Homes were burned, farmland destroyed, and dozens fled into surrounding bushes.
“We are now hopeless, hapless and homeless. We all ran from our respective houses to avoid being killed,” an anonymous resident told FIJ. “Those Fulani terrorists are still crossing from Nasarawa to join the rest in the bush in order to carry out more attacks in other communities such as Ebeje, Ojapata and Ojuwo-ile. This is how serious this recent attack has become.”
Days later, on Saturday (May 9), the attacks spread to Ochipu in Bassa County.
At least five people were killed by Fulani Ethnic Militia in a morning raid that began around 7:00 a.m. local time, according to media reports.
The attack continued for hours before security forces arrived around 11:45 a.m. local time—by which time the attackers had already fled.
Plateau’s Darkest Hours
The most intense violence of the week was recorded in Plateau State.
At least 11 people were killed on Friday night (May 8) when armed men attacked the Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District of Bassa County during heavy rain.
The assailants moved from house to house, shooting and attacking Christian residents with machetes. Victims included children, elderly people, and pregnant women. Ten others were injured and taken to a rural hospital.
The unprovoked attack came just hours after local leaders appeared at a televised security forum to discuss the worsening security situation in the state.
Earlier on Wednesday (May 6), Fulani terrorists disrupted a burial ceremony in Nding Sesut village in Barkin Ladi County. The funeral was for seven victims of an earlier attack the previous night.
As the interment progressed, gunshots were heard as terrorists stormed the community on motorbikes. Mourners—about 500 residents—buried the dead in a shallow grave hurriedly without prayers before running for safety.
Masara Kim, senior editor for TruthNigeria, who was covering the event, fled on foot. The full account is detailed in an exclusive TruthNigeria report.
On Saturday evening (May 10), Barkin Ladi was hit again. Multiple Christian communities came under siege by hundreds of Fulani terrorists on motorbikes and on foot.
They first entered Sabon Layi where they fired sporadically at residents. The attacks later spread to surrounding areas, including Rakung, Gamgare, and the General Hospital area. The attack sent families fleeing as streets emptied under sustained gunfire.
At least eight Christians were killed, including a police inspector, and 11 others were injured. Victims were taken to nearby medical facilities, while others sought refuge in neighboring communities.
On Sunday morning (May 10), several churches shortened services or canceled worship altogether over fears of further attacks.
Notably, Barkin Ladi hosts Sector 4 of the military’s Operation Safe Haven task force. Yet attacks continue with little or no immediate response. In many cases, troops arrive only after the gunmen have withdrawn—leaving communities in ruins and families grieving.
Military Pushes Back Insurgent Attack in Northeast
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s military recorded a defensive victory in the northeast.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled an attack by suspected ISWAP fighters on a military base in Gonori, Borno State late Saturday night (May 9).
Military officials said the attackers were detected early and engaged before reaching the facility. Air and ground forces were deployed, killing several fighters, while fleeing insurgents were targeted in airstrikes.
Authorities confirmed that the base was not breached and no equipment was lost, though some soldiers were injured and are receiving treatment. Weapons including AK-47 rifles were recovered after the operation.
Tens of Thousands Displaced in Taraba
Beyond the rising death toll, the humanitarian crisis continues to grow, especially in Christian communities.
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari, Taraba State reported on Saturday (May 9) that nearly 98,000 people have been displaced since September 2025 due to ongoing attacks.
The Diocese said 217 churches had been destroyed. Residences of eight priests have also been destroyed, and more than 100 persons were killed.
Displaced residents are currently spread across Donga and Takum Counties.
Southern Kaduna Communities Repel Planned Attacks
Suspected Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) planned attacks on three Southern Kaduna communities—Maro Audu and Ungwan Shawa Maro in Kajuru Counties, and Kutura Rimi in Kachia County—were repelled on Sunday, May 10, 2025.
Local sources said advance intelligence alerts allowed residents and local vigilantes to mobilize quickly, preventing the attackers from breaching the communities. The coordinated response forced the armed group to retreat before reaching their targets.
Ezinwanne Onwuka is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
