Gunmen target monarch in Kwara after failed palace raid
Terrorists have reportedly launched a series of coordinated attacks across Kwara, Katsina, and Kaduna states, resulting in the abduction of several residents.
In Kwara State, the violence centered on the Adanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where gunmen staged a daring midnight raid on the palace of the traditional ruler. The attackers reportedly targeted the monarch, Oba David Oyerinola, and his wife, but were unable to locate them during the chaotic invasion.
Frustrated by their failed attempt to seize the traditional ruler, the gunmen instead abducted seven members of the same family before fleeing into the surrounding forest. Oba Oyerinola, who spoke from a secure location in Ilorin, listed the victims as Sikiru, Taye, Idowu, and Faruk Oyerinola, along with two other minors. The abductors have since established contact with the family, reportedly demanding a staggering ₦300 million ransom for their release.
The Adanla community has been largely deserted as residents flee in fear of further retaliatory strikes by the armed groups. Many homeowners have abandoned their properties, stalling local development and creating a ghost-town atmosphere in the Igbaja Ward 2 axis. Local leaders have called for an immediate increase in security presence to protect the few remaining inhabitants and prevent the total collapse of the community’s socio-economic life.
Coordinated midnight raids strike multiple Katsina communities
Simultaneously, heavily armed terrorists invaded several rural communities in Katsina State on Monday night, January 5, 2026. The coordinated attacks targeted Unguwar Barau, Gidan Dan Mai-gizo, and Gidan Hazo, all situated within the Na’alma Ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants operated for several hours, shooting sporadically and breaking into homes to whisk away an unconfirmed number of victims.
The attackers reportedly moved quietly between the villages, suggesting a high level of tactical coordination designed to avoid early detection by local vigilante groups. While the exact number of casualties and abductees remains unclear, security sources confirm that the “midnight assault” has caused widespread displacement. This latest wave of violence comes despite various “peace deals” recently brokered between the state government and local armed factions.
The Katsina State Police Command, through its spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq, stated that it is currently verifying the reports from the field before issuing a formal statement. Residents in the Malumfashi axis have expressed deep frustration, noting that the area has become a recurring flashpoint for banditry. Many are calling for a permanent military outpost to be established at the border between Katsina and Zamfara to block the terrorists’ escape routes.
Veteran photojournalist abducted in Kaduna residential area
In Kaduna State, the focus of the insecurity shifted to a residential community where a veteran photojournalist, Malam Umar, was kidnapped from his home. The abduction occurred in a “quiet and coordinated” manner, with the gunmen gaining entry to the victim’s compound while some family members were still away. Witnesses stated that the assailants initially demanded cash, but upon finding none, they forcibly took the journalist to an unknown destination.
The abduction of Malam Umar has heightened anxiety in the neighborhood, particularly due to his advanced age and delicate health condition. Community leaders have lamented the recurring nature of these “targeted” kidnappings, which they say are designed to instill fear in prominent residents. This incident follows a series of recent airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force against terrorist hideouts in the state’s forest reserves.
The Kaduna State Government has yet to release a detailed report on the incident, but security agencies are reportedly trailing the kidnappers into the Birnin Gwari forest axis. The recent surge in attacks across these three states highlights the persistent challenge of banditry in Northern Nigeria as 2026 begins. As families await word on their loved ones, the federal authorities are under increasing pressure to deliver on their promises of a safer and more secure nation.
