By Emmanuel Kwada
In a harrowing overnight assault, a large group of heavily armed Boko Haram insurgents invaded Kwapre and surrounding villages in the New Yadul District (formerly Dugwaba District) of Hong Local Government Area (LGA) in Adamawa State.
The attack, which began at approximately 7:30 PM on Tuesday, February 25, and raged past midnight, left a trail of destruction in its wake, with churches, schools, houses, and business premises set ablaze and properties worth millions of Naira looted.
The insurgents descended on the communities with ruthless efficiency, torching buildings and carting away valuables.
According to Mr. Joel Kulaha, the Village Head of Kwapre, and Hon. Abalis Jawaja, the Village Head of King, the insurgents descended on the communities with ruthless efficiency, torching buildings and carting away valuables. Fortunately, no lives were lost in this latest assault, as residents, forewarned by the escalating threat, fled their homes before the attackers arrived.
“We escaped with our lives, but everything we own is gone,” Kulaha lamented, describing the chaos that unfolded.
Military forces stationed in nearby Garaha responded to the attack in the early hours, engaging the insurgents and forcing them to retreat to their hideouts. However, the intervention came too late to prevent the widespread destruction that has left the villages in ruins.
We escaped with our lives, but everything we own is gone
This marks the tenth reported incursion by Boko Haram into these communities, a grim pattern of violence that has seen innocent lives lost, homes destroyed, and livelihoods shattered over repeated attacks. Residents say they feel abandoned, caught in a cycle of terror with little reprieve.
“This is our ancestral land. We are farmers, and we have nowhere else to go,” said Mal Aliyu, the District Head of Yadul, in an emotional interview. “We are helpless and at the mercy of the government to protect us from these evil men.”
The relentless assaults have raised urgent questions about security in the region, with locals pleading for stronger measures to safeguard their lives and properties. Attempts to reach Mr. Solomon Inuwa Waaganda, the Chairman of Hong LGA, for comment were ongoing at the time of this report, as the community braces for what may come next.
The attack underscores the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, despite efforts by security forces to curb their activities. As the people of Kwapre and New Yadul District sift through the ashes of their homes, their calls for protection grow louder, echoing a desperate need for lasting peace in a region ravaged by insurgency.
More details to follow as the situation develops.
Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕
