Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Last night, suspected bandits carried out a targeted nighttime attack in Digare, a town in Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State in Nigeria, violently storming the residence of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, a senior community religious leader affiliated with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS). The assailants abducted multiple individuals from the household, including some of the imam’s wives and daughters, before fleeing under the cover of darkness to an undisclosed location. The assault has left the local Muslim community in shock and intensified concerns over the escalating insecurity that continues to afflict many parts of northern Nigeria.
According to emerging local accounts, the armed group descended on the imam’s compound late into the night, breaking through residential security and overpowering family members and any neighbours who might have attempted to resist. Many victims were reportedly taken at gunpoint and transported out of the community on motorcycles and in unmarked vehicles. At the time of reporting, there has been no official confirmation from Bauchi State police or military authorities regarding the number of people abducted or any details about the attackers’ identity, affiliation or demands.
While specific facts about this latest assault in Digare remain sketchy, the incident is consistent with a recent pattern of aggression by loosely organised armed groups in north‑eastern and north‑central regions of Nigeria, where rural and semi‑rural communities have been subject to recurrent kidnappings, raids and other violent crimes. Banditry, a form of armed criminality distinct but operationally related to broader insurgent activity in the region, has emerged as one of the most persistent security threats confronting northern Nigerian states. Although authorities have made occasional arrests and engagements against such groups in parts of Alkaleri District, including reported security operations earlier in the year that led to the rescue of hostages and elimination of some abduction suspects, the threat remains pervasive and unpredictable. Independent reporting from prior security incidents in the same district noted that police forces had engaged and rescued captives after bandit incursions in Gwana and neighbouring locations, underscoring the chronic nature of the threat in the area.
In recent months, similar abductions and overnight raids have occurred in communities across northern and central Nigeria, further illustrating the scale and complexity of the security crisis. In Plateau State for example, armed bandits attacked Dogon Ruwa community in the Bashar District, where they killed a villager and abducted several individuals including an imam and his prayer caller, sparking widespread panic among residents. These incidents echo repeated kidnappings of community leaders, religious figures and ordinary citizens across the northwest and central belts, where organised armed groups exploit limited security presence and vast terrain to execute attacks before security forces can respond effectively.
The absence of an immediate public response from Bauchi State police or military officials regarding the Digare town attack has fuelled frustration and anxiety among residents. Community members and civil society voices have lamented the perceived lack of timely protective measures and effective deterrence against banditry, which has eroded trust in law enforcement and left civilians vulnerable. Parents and families of abducted victims often find themselves in prolonged periods of uncertainty and anguish, waiting for news of negotiations, ransom demands, or rescue operations.
Security analysts indicate that the insurgency and criminal networks involved in such kidnappings are not monolithic but rather fluid assemblages of local and cross‑border elements that finance their operations through ransom payments, cattle rustling, and exploitation of weak governance structures. These groups are known to operate with relative agility, leveraging forested and remote areas to evade sustained pressure from security forces. The phenomenon has triggered broader debates within Nigeria about the overall strategy for addressing insecurity, with critics arguing that piecemeal operations have been insufficient to curb the sophisticated and deeply entrenched networks responsible for such attacks.
The federal government has, at various times, announced intensified campaigns against armed groups, including expanded military deployments, community policing initiatives, and collaboration with state governors to bolster local security apparatuses. Yet, as recent incidents reveal, gaps in intelligence, coordination and resource allocation continue to challenge the effectiveness of these efforts. Human rights and civil society organisations have repeatedly called for a more comprehensive security blueprint that prioritises not only reactive engagements but also proactive measures to strengthen community resilience, improve socioeconomic conditions and diminish the appeal of armed networks.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the psychological impact of repeated kidnappings and nighttime raids on rural communities cannot be understated. Families grappling with the trauma of abductions often face long waits for updates, while communities shut down daily activities out of fear of additional attacks. Parents have expressed deep concern for the safety of their children and relatives, as well as for the future of communal life in regions where fear has become an almost constant companion.
If confirmed, the abduction of members of Imam Digare’s family will almost certainly intensify calls for accountability and action, both within Bauchi State and across Nigeria. Religious leaders, local chiefs, and community advocates are likely to urge a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the raid and a concerted effort to secure the release of those taken. Many observers stress that decisive action from security agencies is needed not only to recover the abducted individuals but also to restore confidence among communities that have endured repeated cycles of violence.
While details about the identities and motives of the assailants remain uncertain, the incident in Digare reflects the broader national challenge posed by armed groups whose reach and audacity have grown amid persistent structural vulnerabilities. As families wait for news of their loved ones and authorities mobilise to respond to the aftermath, the urgency of implementing sustainable security measures is becoming ever more apparent to communities across the affected regions.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments