- The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has reported that 24 people were killed during an Easter Sunday assault on Debe village in Shanga Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
- Suspected terrorists set fire to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a local mosque, residential homes, and shops, targeting men and youth in the community.
- Nearly 500 displaced persons are currently seeking refuge at St. Dominic Parish in Yauri, facing acute shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
In a detailed statement issued from Yauri on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora revealed the true scale of an attack that occurred on Easter Sunday.
Eko Hot Blog reports that around 5:00 PM on April 5, terrorists reportedly stormed Debe village, unleashing hours of mayhem that claimed 24 lives, a figure significantly higher than the initial police report of four fatalities.
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The Church emphasized that the tragedy was an “assault against humanity,” as the victims included Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers.
The attackers, believed to have emerged from hideouts in the Wawa Forest in Borgu, Niger State, spared nothing in their path.
Beyond the burning of a church and a mosque, the violence spilled into neighboring villages like Binuwa and Kalkame, where markets and even local administrative residences were targeted.
This follows a pattern of coordinated night assaults that have recently forced residents of Gebe, Kawara, and Kalkami to flee for their lives.
In the wake of the carnage, a massive humanitarian crisis is unfolding. The Diocese disclosed that 491 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently sheltered at St. Dominic Parish in Yauri.
These survivors, many of whom witnessed the execution of their family members, are in desperate need of basic necessities.
The Church warned that its current resources are overstretched and called on humanitarian organizations and the international community to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
The Diocese issued a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Idris to take decisive action against the bandits who have made life unbearable for residents in the region.
They noted that fear has gripped the state, with many communities unable to perform basic tasks like farming or burying their dead in peace.
While the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that tactical units and military personnel have been deployed to restore order, the residents of Shanga LGA remain on edge, waiting for a long-term solution to the persistent insecurity plaguing the border axis.
