Locals in the Kirchinga community of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, north-eastern Nigeria, are living in fear following the death of two residents in a recent failed midnight kidnap attempt, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred at about 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, when the assailants reportedly stormed the village of the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, in an attempt to kidnap some residents, which turned deadly.
In separate interviews, 4 local sources who prefer to remain anonymous for fear of being attacked told Advocatus Africa that the gunmen initially targeted one Yuguda Abasiryu, whom they attempted to abduct from his residence.
One resident explained that “The attackers gained access to his compound by climbing through the fence under the cover of darkness.”
However, “Yuguda resisted the abduction and when local vigilantes noticed suspicious movements and tried to intervene, the gunmen opened fire, shooting him dead on the spot,” an eyewitness claimed.
According to him, “The operation lasted for about ten minutes,” adding that “the attackers appeared determined to escape before security agencies could arrive.”
Advocatus Africa learned from another resident that the second victim, Njinda Maradi, a community vigilante leader stationed near Maradi Primary School, who noticed suspicious movements by men carrying torchlights, “opened fire in anattempt to repel the attackers, but the gunmen, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, quickly overpowered him, killing him in the exchange of fire before they fled the area.”
Residents who disclosed that Maradi, who had two wives and eight children, died on the spot decried that the twin killings have plunged Kirchinga into mourning, with residents describing the incident as brutal and heartbreaking.
In an emotional reaction, a third resident “condemned the killings and questioned the government’s ability to protect citizens.”
“RIP Yuguda Abasiryu and Njinda Maradi, who lost their lives to unknown terrorist gunmen last night in Kirchinga,” the community member prayed while offering condolences, “My heartfelt condolences to their families and the entire Kirchinga community.”
A fourth local lamented what he described as “a failure of leadership and security, asking how long residents would continue to be killed like animals without adequate protection.”
Screenshot of the kidnappers’ leader during a video call demanding ransom, obtained by a resident
Residents say the latest attack fits into a long-standing pattern of violence in the area that dates to late 2024.
According to community leaders, armed groups often invade Kirchinga with the primary intention of kidnapping residents for ransom.
According to sources, only recently, three members of the family of one Mr. Yuguda Gogari were abducted in December last year but were released earlier this year after a ransom of more than ₦9 million was paid, reinforcing fears that the attacks are largely driven by economic motives.
“Such attacks have been happening since late 2024,” a source said, clarifying that the attackers “usually come with the intention to kidnap people and later demand ransom. Basically, these attacks are for economic reasons.”
The community member lamented that the renewed wave of violence is particularly painful because the people of Kirchinga are still struggling to recover from the devastating impact of Boko Haram attacks that displaced families, destroyed livelihoods, leaving deep psychological scars.
According to him, “it is deeply unfortunate that kidnapping has now evolved into a business venture, where criminal groups target vulnerable people, mostly Christians, and force families to pay millions of naira in ransom just to secure the release of their loved ones.”
The resident further noted that fear and repeated attacks have forced many people to flee the community since early 2025, as families abandon their homes in search of safety in neighbouring towns and villages.
“This is no longer just insecurity; it has become an industry built on the suffering of innocent people,” the resident added, warning that “unless decisive action is taken, communities already weakened by years of conflict will continue to bear the burden of violence, poverty, and fear.”
Following the killings, the community has appealed to the Adamawa State Government, security agencies, and elected representatives to urgently intervene and restore the security of lives and livelihoods.
They urged authorities to deploy adequate security personnel to rural communities and dismantle criminal networks operating in the area, warning that continued inaction could lead to more deaths and displacements.
“As Kirchinga mourns two of its sons, the community is left grappling with grief, fear, and unanswered questions—chief among them, who will protect rural communities from the growing economy of kidnapping and violence in northeastern Nigeria,” the local wondered.
