At least 50 people were killed when armed assailants attacked a village in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, late Thursday night. The gunmen, riding on motorcycles, stormed the village in the Bukuyum area, setting houses on fire and abducting several women and children. The assault continued until Friday morning, leaving widespread devastation across the community.

Hamisu A. Faru, a legislator representing southern Bukuyum, said the exact number of abducted individuals remains unclear as local officials are still compiling a list of the missing. A local resident, 41-year-old Abdullahi Sani, reported that villagers had alerted security forces a day earlier after spotting more than 150 motorcycles carrying armed men, but no action was taken.

The attack follows a similar incident last week in Niger State’s Borgu area, where at least 46 people were killed, including 38 in Konkoso village, marking another wave of deadly violence in Nigeria’s northwest.

At least 32 people were killed and several others abducted when armed assailants attacked three villages in northern Nigeria’s Niger State on Saturday, according to local police and witnesses cited by Al Jazeera. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles, carried out violent raids across the villages, setting homes ablaze and kidnapping residents.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that suspected terrorists struck Tunga-Makeri village, killing six people, burning houses, and abducting several villagers. In Konkoso, resident Jeremiah Timothy told Reuters that the assault began with sporadic gunfire before the attackers set fire to a police station, leaving at least 26 people dead. Authorities said the attackers included groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) and local kidnapping gangs seeking ransom.

The attacks occurred near the Kainji forest along the Niger–Kwara border, an area known as a hideout for armed groups including Boko Haram and criminal gangs.

The United States is set to deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to assist in the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State. A U.S. Africa Command official said on Tuesday that the soldiers will train Nigerian forces and provide technical guidance. According to The Wall Street Journal, the new team will complement a smaller group already stationed in the country and is expected to arrive within the next few weeks. A spokesperson for U.S. Africa Command told AFP that the mission will focus on training and coordination support for air and ground operations.

Nigerian Defense Headquarters spokesperson Samaila Uba stated that the U.S. troops will not take part in direct combat or operations. The deployment comes as Nigeria faces diplomatic pressure from the United States over security concerns. U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Nigeria of persecuting Christians, though reports indicate that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence. Trump’s senior adviser on Arab and African affairs, Masad Bolos, previously said Boko Haram and the Islamic State have killed more Muslims than Christians. Nigeria’s government has rejected allegations of Christian persecution.

At least 30 people were killed in two separate armed attacks in Nigeria’s central Benue state within a few days, according to AFP. Local official Ibi Andrew said that on Friday afternoon, armed bandits attacked a market in Anwase village in the Kwande area, killing at least 13 traders. Witnesses reported that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic as people fled. Several shops and homes were damaged, and families searched for missing relatives.

A few days earlier, on Tuesday, a similar attack took place at a market in the nearby town of Mbaikyor, where at least 17 people, including a police officer, were killed, according to local residents and media reports. Violence in Benue state has intensified in recent months, largely driven by disputes between Muslim Fulani herders and predominantly Christian farmers over land and natural resources.

Analysts cited in the report said that climate change-induced land scarcity, the easy availability of illegal weapons, and the Nigerian government’s lack of effective long-term measures have further complicated the situation.

At least 162 people were killed when armed militants attacked the villages of Oru and Nuku in Nigeria’s western Kwara State on Tuesday, February 4. Local lawmaker Mohammed Omar Bio confirmed the death toll and said a group called ‘Lakurawa,’ suspected to be linked to the Islamic State, was believed to be responsible. Witnesses reported that the attackers tied villagers’ hands, lined them up, and opened fire, also setting homes and shops ablaze. Several people, including the traditional ruler, remain missing as the army continues recovery and search operations.

Amnesty International condemned the attack, suggesting the death toll could exceed 170, and accused security forces of failing to act despite prior threats from gunmen over the past five months. Villagers said the assailants promoted jihadist ideology and demanded allegiance to Sharia law, which the community rejected during a religious gathering before the massacre.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq denounced the assault as a cowardly act of terrorism. Analysts said the incident highlights Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, marked by jihadist insurgency, banditry, and communal violence across multiple regions.

The Nigerian army announced that eleven Boko Haram members, including a key commander, were killed during a military operation in the Sambisa Forest of Borno State in the country’s northeast. The operation took place on Sunday, according to a military statement cited by TRT World. The slain commander, identified as Abu Khalid, was described as the group’s second-in-command in the region and was responsible for coordinating logistics and terrorist activities. The army reported no casualties among its personnel.

Boko Haram has been active in Nigeria since the early 2000s and has expanded its attacks to neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger since 2015. Authorities said the group has killed at least two people across the Lake Chad basin. The military confirmed that counterterrorism operations in the northeastern forests remain ongoing.

The latest operation underscores Nigeria’s continued efforts to weaken Boko Haram’s presence in the region and disrupt its logistical networks.

At least 30 people were killed in a terrorist attack on a village in Niger State, Nigeria, according to police reports. Armed assailants emerged from a nearby forest near Kasuwan-Daji village on Saturday, setting fire to the local market and looting shops. Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles, gathered villagers, and opened fire indiscriminately. Local sources also reported that several people were abducted during the assault.

Officials from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident, stating that villagers were captured and killed. The agency’s representative, Abdullahi Rofia, said residents were terrified and hiding, fearing further attacks. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said emergency teams had been dispatched to assist the injured and that security forces were working to rescue the abducted individuals.

The Nigerian government has designated such armed groups as terrorists and banned ransom payments, though reports suggest the rule is often ignored. The attack highlights the continuing wave of violence and kidnappings in Nigeria’s western and central regions.

At least 26 people have died and 14 remain missing after a passenger boat carrying farmers and fishermen capsized in northeastern Nigeria. The accident occurred late Saturday night as the vessel was traveling from Jigawa State to Yobe State, according to the country’s emergency services. Mohammed Goje, executive director of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, said rescue teams and volunteers have recovered 26 bodies so far and rescued 13 passengers alive. Search operations for the missing continue.

Boat accidents are common on Nigeria’s busy waterways, often caused by overloading, poor maintenance, and disregard for safety regulations. Each year, such incidents claim numerous lives across the country’s river transport routes.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the cause of the latest accident or the total number of passengers on board.

A United States missile strike on Islamic State (IS) targets in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on Christmas Day has drawn mixed reactions both within the country and internationally. The missile reportedly landed just meters from the only health center in Jabo village, causing panic among residents. Supporters of former US President Donald Trump and right-wing groups in the United States celebrated the attack as a “Christmas gift,” while Nigerian observers raised concerns over national security, sovereignty, and civilian safety.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer praised the strike on social media, calling it a justified act against Islamic terrorists. Florida Republican congressman Randy Fine described the attack as a “remarkable Christmas gift,” and other Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina, commended Trump for authorizing the strike, citing IS’s responsibility for the deaths of thousands of Christians and religious minorities in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s government has long faced violence from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Officials have reiterated that while they welcome international cooperation in counterterrorism, such actions must respect the country’s sovereignty and legal framework.

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States carried out an airstrike in northwestern Nigeria against ISIL fighters. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday evening, Trump said the strike was conducted under his direction as commander in chief and described it as a powerful and lethal attack against ISIS terrorists. He claimed the militants had targeted innocent Christians and warned earlier of severe consequences if such killings continued.

US Africa Command, which oversees American military operations in Africa, confirmed the strike, stating it was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIL militants. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and hinted at further actions without providing details. The command said the strike took place in “Soboto State,” believed to refer to Sokoto State.

The attack followed Trump’s earlier directive to the Pentagon to plan possible military action over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, claims the Nigerian government denied, saying armed groups target both Muslims and Christians. Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the operation reflected structured security cooperation with international partners.

A bomb explosion inside a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, killed at least seven worshippers during evening prayers on Wednesday, December 24. Witnesses and security sources confirmed the incident, though no group has claimed responsibility. Local anti-jihad militia leader Babakura Kolo described it as a deliberate attack, while some witnesses suggested it might have been a suicide bombing. Police confirmed the blast and said bomb disposal units were deployed to the site.

The explosion occurred in the Gamboru market area, a district that has previously faced attacks from insurgent groups. An NGO operating in Maiduguri advised its staff to avoid the area following the incident. Borno State has long been the epicenter of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies, which have killed around 40,000 people and displaced nearly two million since 2009.

Although large-scale attacks in Maiduguri have declined in recent years, analysts warn that militant groups retain the capacity to launch deadly assaults, highlighting persistent instability in Nigeria’s northeast.

At least 12 people were killed and three others abducted when armed men attacked a mining site in Atoso village, Plateau State, Nigeria, late Tuesday night. Local leaders told Reuters that the assailants, identified by residents as armed Fulani militia, opened fire on workers before fleeing the scene. Five more victims were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

Police spokesperson Alfred Alabo confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident. The attack underscores the persistent insecurity in central Nigeria, where ethnic and religious tensions between farming communities and herders have repeatedly erupted into violence. Local youth leader Daliop Solomon Mwantiri of the Berom Youth Moulders Association condemned the assault and urged authorities to strengthen protection for rural communities.

Despite repeated government pledges to restore peace, Plateau State continues to experience deadly clashes. Analysts warn that without stronger law enforcement and reconciliation efforts, such attacks could further destabilize the region’s fragile security landscape.

Nigerian security forces have rescued 100 students abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in Papiri village, Niger State. The joint military-police operation freed the hostages on December 7, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The attack, carried out on November 21 by armed assailants, initially saw 227 students and 12 teachers taken hostage.

Authorities launched an immediate rescue mission that lasted 15 days, resulting in the safe recovery of 100 students. However, 127 students and teachers remain missing, and their whereabouts are still unknown. CAN’s Niger branch leader, Daniel Atori, said the organization has received no updates from the government and continues to pray for the safe return of those still held.

The incident underscores Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, particularly in the country’s northern and central regions, where armed groups influenced by al-Qaeda and Islamic State have intensified attacks on Christian institutions. Similar mass abductions have occurred in Kaduna and other states, highlighting the persistent threat to education and religious communities.

Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has resigned, citing health reasons, according to a statement from the president’s office on Monday. The resignation comes at a time when President Bola Tinubu has declared a national security emergency following a surge in armed banditry and kidnappings across the country. In recent weeks, incidents have included the abduction of a priest and several others from a church in Kogi State, and the kidnapping of around 490 people from various regions, including 315 children from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State. The government has responded by ordering mass recruitment into the police and military forces. Nigeria, with a population of over 220 million, reportedly has only about 370,000 security personnel, many of whom are assigned to protect wealthy individuals rather than rural communities, leaving vast areas vulnerable to criminal activity.

Armed attackers abducted 14 people, including a newlywed bride, her ten bridesmaids, a newborn, and two other women, from Chacho village in Sokoto State, northeastern Nigeria, between Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Local residents reported that the assailants raided the village under cover of darkness, marking the latest in a string of mass abductions plaguing the region in recent months. A local intelligence report confirmed the incident, noting a sharp rise in kidnappings by bandit groups in Sokoto during November—the highest in a year. Authorities suspect that failed peace negotiations between neighboring states and criminal gangs may have contributed to the surge. The same village was attacked in October, when 13 people were abducted and later released after ransom payments. The incident follows other recent mass kidnappings, including 25 students in Kebbi State and over 300 people in Niger State, underscoring Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.