Islamists slaughter 40 people in Nigerian village raid, including Christian worshippers

Fintan Starkey
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:17:13 +0000

Suspected Islamists have killed more than 40 people in a wave of violence sweeping through northwestern Nigeria over the past three days.

The brutal assault, which commenced late on Sunday, has struck at least nine communities across Kebbi State and the neighbouring Niger, a local religious leader has claimed.

"In the areas where we have our people, I can confirm that 24 have been killed, but from the reports we are getting today, there are more than 40 killed," one clergyman told reporters, requesting anonymity due to safety concerns.

A second Christian leader corroborated the death toll of approximately 40.

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"They killed everybody in sight, they killed Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers. They killed indiscriminately," one Christian leader said.

Beyond the human death, the militants set ablaze places of worship, Muslim residences, livestock, including sheep and cattle, and grain stores.

The violence has persisted across the region for three consecutive days, leaving communities paralysed with fear.

"People can't even go back to bury their dead," the clergyman added.

The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with no fewer than 500 residents fleeing their homes to seek refuge in Yauri town within Kebbi state.

Churches and educational facilities in the town have been converted into emergency shelters to accommodate the displaced population.

Whilst no organisation has formally claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks, both local inhabitants and law enforcement officials have pointed to the Mahmuda group as the perpetrators.

This jihadist faction operates across northwestern Nigeria and has been linked to the escalating violence plaguing the border region in recent months.

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The Mahmuda group takes its name from Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior figure within the Ansaru jihadist organisation.

Ansaru itself splintered from the notorious Boko Haram militant movement and has subsequently aligned with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Kebbi State, which shares borders with both Benin and Niger, has experienced a marked increase in jihadist activity since 2025.

The conflict monitoring organisation ACLED has documented a significant uptick in violence perpetrated by factions connected to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The region also contends with criminal gangs, referred to locally as "bandits", who raid villages and abduct residents for ransom payments.