The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has raised new concerns about growing violence by terrorists in Kebbi State, stating that 24 people were slain in a brutal Easter Sunday attack on Debe village in the Shanga Local Government Area.
The attack was the latest in a string of violent episodes in the border regions of Kebbi and Niger states.
Days previously, suspected bandits carried out a coordinated night raid on many villages in the same Shanga Local Government Area, including Gebe, Kawara, and Kalkami, destroying homes and forcing families to escape.
According to security officials, the attackers emerged from hideouts in the Wawa Forest in Niger State’s Borgu Local Government Area.
The Kebbi State Police Command reported that tactical units, military personnel, maritime police, and local vigilantes were dispatched to restore order.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Diocese of Yauri in Kebbi State, suspected terrorists assaulted the hamlet around 5 p.m. on April 5, unleashing hours of carnage that killed many and destroyed property.
“We want Nigeria and the international community to know what transpired in Debe,” the diocese said. “The confirmed number of fatalities is 24, contrary to earlier police reports of four.”
The Church described the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a mosque, residential homes, and shops as a “tragedy against humanity, not a particular faith.”
The victims included Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers. The attackers primarily targeted men and youth.
“The terrorists invaded the village and killed 24 people. Properties were destroyed, including a church and a mosque. This is a devastating blow to the entire community,” the statement added.
The violence expanded to nearby settlements, with reports of significant destruction in Binuwa and Kalkame. Markets and even the emir’s home were not spared.
In the aftermath, hundreds of locals fled their houses in search of safety. The Diocese reported that 491 internally displaced people are currently seeking safety at St. Dominic Parish in Yauri.
“These displaced persons are in urgent need of food, clean water, medical care, and adequate shelter,” it said, warning that existing support efforts are overstretched.
While giving emergency aid, the Church urged the federal government and Kebbi State authorities to act immediately.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Idris to take decisive action to restore security and enable displaced persons to return home safely,” the diocese urged.
It warned that fear has gripped towns across the state, preventing residents from burying their deceased or rebuilding their lives in peace.
“People are being killed on a daily basis in Nigeria. Communities in Kebbi State are now living in fear,” the statement said.
The diocese also urged humanitarian agencies and the international community to intervene immediately to prevent the crisis from deteriorating while also advocating for long-term solutions to regional insecurity.
