At least 11 people are feared dead following an early-morning attack on Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday, with residents reporting that several others remain unaccounted for.
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday when suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded the community, opening fire on residents and setting houses ablaze, according to accounts from people familiar with the incident.
A resident who spoke by telephone said 11 bodies had been recovered as of Monday afternoon. The resident, who requested anonymity, explained that he was not authorised to speak publicly about the incident.
According to the resident, the death toll could rise as search teams and security personnel continue combing surrounding forests for people who fled the community during the assault and those who may still be missing.
The attack has reportedly left residents traumatised, with the destruction of homes adding to the human cost of the violence. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the number of houses destroyed, were still being established as of the time of reporting.
Another resident gave a particularly painful account of the tragedy, saying his wife and two other members of his family were among the bodies recovered following the invasion.
The reported assault adds to continuing security concerns in parts of Adamawa, where communities in areas affected by insurgency remain vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. The latest incident is likely to renew calls for stronger security measures to protect rural communities.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation were reportedly unsuccessful at the time of filing the initial report. The Adamawa State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, did not respond to repeated telephone calls seeking clarification on the incident.
With search operations reportedly still underway, authorities are expected to establish the definitive casualty figure and provide further details on the attack. Until an official statement is issued, the reported death toll of 11 should be treated as provisional.
The Zaranga attack has once again highlighted the vulnerability of communities in conflict-prone parts of northeastern Nigeria, where residents can face devastating consequences when armed groups penetrate rural settlements. For families in the affected village, Monday’s violence has turned an ordinary day into a period of mourning, uncertainty and desperate searches for missing loved ones.


