Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Islamic Terror group Boko Haram launched a deadly night assault on Sept. 23 on the Christian community of Wagga Mongoro in Madagali County, Adamawa state. 

The insurgents stormed the village around 11:40 p.m., killing four Christians, injuring many others, and destroying homes, shops, and a local church building. The raid left the rural community in disarray, with hundreds of residents forced to flee in search of safety. 

According to HumAngle, residents identified the victims as David Mbicho, his son Daniel, Jude Jacob, and Omega Duda. The attackers also burned motorcycles, vehicles, and several houses. Local vigilante groups attempted to confront the gunmen but were quickly overpowered by the militants’ superior firepower.  

“The group was heavily armed, and there was no official security presence, so our vigilante group had to abandon the fight,” one resident explained.  

Survivors told reporters that security operatives did not arrive until the morning of September 24, hours after the militants had retreated and villagers had cautiously begun returning to assess the damage. Residents stated that while security forces are deployed in Madagali LGA, they are typically stationed in the town center or Nimankara, leaving smaller villages, such as Wagga Mongoro, highly vulnerable to repeated attacks. 

This was not the first time the village had been targeted. Just two months earlier, in July, insurgents raided Wagga Mongoro, burning houses and forcing residents to flee into neighboring towns. After weeks of relative calm, many residents had only recently returned to rebuild when Boko Haram struck again. Following the latest assault, displaced families are once more leaving the area in large numbers.  

“Right now, people have packed their bags and are leaving for Yola, the Adamawa state capital, and other places to go and stay with their loved ones. Nobody wants to stay behind to witness this kind of incident again,” said Cyrus Ezra, a local resident. 

The repeated attacks have worsened the humanitarian crisis in Adamawa. The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that Boko Haram violence has displaced more than 200,000 people in the state, with the majority coming from Michika and Madagali local government areas. Many of these displaced families are Christians living in overcrowded camps or with relatives, struggling to access food, healthcare, and education. 

As Boko Haram continues its campaign of violence against Christian communities in northeastern Nigeria, residents of Wagga Mongoro are calling for greater protection and a consistent security presence to prevent further bloodshed.  

“We are scared,” Ezra said. “Our greatest need right now is security. Some of us don’t want to leave our homes.” 

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