Zamfara, Kaduna lead renewed wave of attacks — Report
Nigeria recorded a surge in violent incidents between January 17 and 22, 2026, marked by deadly bandit attacks, mass kidnappings, terrorist assaults and renewed allegations of security force brutality, according to a new security report by SBM Intelligence.
The report documents widespread insecurity across multiple regions, underscoring the expanding reach of armed groups and the growing strain on Nigeria’s security architecture. In Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, and Adamawa states, bandits carried out coordinated attacks on communities, killing residents, abducting dozens, and rustling livestock.
In one of the most severe incidents, over 100 worshippers were abducted during simultaneous attacks on churches in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Terrorist activity also intensified in the North East. A suicide bomber rammed into a military convoy in Borno State, killing at least five soldiers, while Boko Haram fighters launched midnight assaults in Adamawa, targeting newly established forest guards. Separate clashes between rival jihadist factions along the Lake Chad axis reportedly left dozens of fighters dead, highlighting the increasingly complex militant landscape in the region.
Beyond insurgency and banditry, the report raises alarm over recurring cases of force brutality. Multiple videos circulated during the week showed police officers, soldiers, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force assaulting civilians in states including Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, and Delta. SBM Intelligence noted that such incidents continue to erode public trust and fuel resentment toward security agencies.
Urban centres were not spared. Mob violence and knife-related crimes were recorded in Cross River, Abuja, and Bayelsa states, with disputes over minor issues escalating into deadly confrontations. In one case in Cross River State, a disagreement over stolen farm produce led to a fatal machete fight.
SBM Intelligence warned that the use of explosives by armed groups is increasing, while economic uncertainty, weak dispute resolution mechanisms, and the absence of updated sector-specific security strategies are worsening domestic instability. Although piracy incidents remained relatively subdued during the period, analysts cautioned that the lull could be temporary.
Regionally, the report flagged rising tensions in West Africa. In Burkina Faso, jihadist groups clashed with government-backed militias, while in Ghana, community-level tensions escalated amid controversial military actions. Diplomatic strains between Niger and Benin also deepened following the arrest of Nigerien intelligence agents in Cotonou.
SBM Intelligence concluded that without coordinated intelligence-led operations and governance reforms, Nigeria risks deeper security fragmentation as armed groups continue to exploit institutional weaknesses.
