By Jabir Ridwan
In the quiet farming communities of Yeldu in the Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, life has become a story of fear, grief, and survival.
For residents of villages like Mamunu, Bachaka, and Kyada Tudu, insecurity has grown far beyond what the media often reports. Once peaceful rural settlements have turned into regular targets for armed groups known locally as “Lakurawa.” Residents say Monday and Friday evenings bring dread, as attackers frequently invade their communities, leaving death and destruction behind.
A resident who spoke to The Nationsvoice Newspaper on the condition of anonymity said villagers have faced years of attacks, killings, and kidnappings that have displaced hundreds of families.
“These days, killings, kidnappings, and sometimes taxes imposed on villagers have left many people homeless,” he said quietly. “I lost my brother, Muhammad, on a Friday evening—a day I will never forget. They usually attack on Monday and Friday evenings. They shot him instantly.”
According to him, even though security personnel are nearby, they are stationed far from the affected communities, making rapid response difficult.
“Sometimes it takes them up to an hour to arrive after an attack has already happened. We are asking the government at all levels to send security personnel closer to the villages and border areas to help save lives,” he added.
The Night Mamunu Went Silent
For the people of Mamunu village, February 18, 2026, is one of the darkest days in their history. Residents recall how armed terrorists invaded their community in groups late in the evening, opening fire on villagers and leaving dozens dead.
While the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, locals estimate that between 35 and 40 people may have died during the attack, with many others injured. In one house alone, seven members of the same family reportedly lost their lives.
Villagers say the attackers often use remote paths connecting communities across the region.
“We suspect they come from the Sokoto area, passing through Bachaka village toward the Niger Republic,” another resident explained. “Whenever they attack, they vanish very quickly.”
A Region Bleeding for Decades
For many years, communities across northern Nigeria have faced cycles of violence. What began in the Northeast with the Boko Haram insurgency later spread to other parts of the region. From the North Central to the Northwest, villages have experienced clashes, bandit attacks, and mass displacement, transforming thousands of settlements into ghost towns and forcing millions from their ancestral homes.
Communities in Kebbi State including Bachaka, Kyada Tudu, Kyada Kufai, Kukoki, Maitsaida, Kufan Gaita, Illela, Hudussu, Masama, Awashaka Dan Mai Rago, Kamzo, and Mamunu have all reported attacks in recent months.
Life After the Fishing Festival
During the fishing festival in Argungu Local Government Area, security was significantly reinforced, and communities across the region remained relatively safe throughout the celebrations.
According to Muhammad Abubakar (not his real name), no attacks were recorded during the period of the festival. However, he expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s selective deployment of security personnel.
“We were shocked to see how the government could deploy large numbers of security personnel for an event, but not for the safety of the masses,” he said. “The unfortunate thing is that immediately after the festivities, our villages were attacked and about 35 people lost their lives. It is disheartening to see the effort the government can put into securing events, but not into protecting the lives of its citizens.”
Terror Inside a Mosque
The violence has reached places once seen as sacred and safe. In Dadin Kowa community in the Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, gunmen recently attacked a mosque during prayers, killing several worshippers and injuring others.
Yusuf Abdullahi, a survivor of the attack, recalled the terrifying moment the gunmen stormed the mosque.
“We were in the middle of prayers when they started shooting,” he said. “The imam tried to run but fell down. I followed him and managed to escape. The attackers had already blocked the exits. They killed the imam and several others who were praying with him.”
Another resident, Abubakar Abubakar, fought back tears as he described how the attack displaced his family.
“I was born and raised in Dadin Kowa. We had never experienced bandit attacks before,” he said. “Now we have become homeless and hopeless. We had to send our families to neighboring communities for safety.”
Growing Displacement
The District Head of Andarai, Alhaji Mahmud Sani Aliyu, confirmed that the number of internally displaced persons has continued to rise following the attacks.
“Before, we used to hear about bandits attacking distant communities, but not our neighbors,” he said. “Now it has reached us. We are urging the government to do more to prevent the situation from getting worse.”
For the people of Yeldu and nearby villages, the plea is simple which is protection, safety, and the chance to return to the peaceful life they once knew.
But for now, many villagers say every Monday and Friday evening still comes with the same question who will be next?