By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Suspected Boko Haram fighters have abducted eight members of a single family, including a one-month-old baby, during a midnight raid on Palam community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, further deepening fears over the renewed resurgence of insurgent activities in the North-East.
The latest Boko Haram abduction in Adamawa reportedly occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, when heavily armed fighters stormed a family compound, firing sporadically to instill fear before whisking away their victims into the surrounding forest.
Midnight Attack Throws Palam Community Into Panic
A family member who narrowly escaped the attack told reporters that the assailants arrived suddenly under the cover of darkness, leaving residents with little time to react.
According to the source, the attackers were specifically searching for the head of the household, identified as Bitrus Kwavanza. However, Kwavanza was reportedly away on a business trip to a neighbouring community at the time of the invasion.
“They came asking for my uncle. When they could not find him, they took his family instead,” the source said, speaking in distress.
The gunmen reportedly abducted Kwavanza’s wife, six children, and an infant grandchild, all forced to trek on foot into the bush despite the presence of a nursing mother and a newborn.
One-Month-Old Baby Among Victims
One of the abducted victims, Esther, had reportedly returned to her family home shortly after childbirth to recuperate when the insurgents struck.
“She had just put to bed and came home to rest,” the source recounted. “She was forced to walk with her baby, her mother, and her siblings into the forest.”
The inclusion of a one-month-old infant in the abduction has drawn widespread outrage, highlighting the growing brutality of insurgent attacks and their disregard for vulnerable civilians.
Threats Issued as No Ransom Demand Yet
As of Monday afternoon, the abductors had not demanded ransom. However, they reportedly contacted the family with chilling threats.
According to the source, the terrorists warned that only the breastfeeding mother might be released, while the remaining captives could be executed in the coming days if their conditions were not met.
“They called my uncle and said they would free the nursing mother, but the others would be killed,” the family member said, visibly shaken.
The threat has intensified anxiety within the community, as families fear the worst amid delays in rescue operations.
Attack Raises Alarm in Governor’s Home LGA
Palam community is located in Madagali Local Government Area, the home LGA of Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri. The incident has therefore heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation, even in politically significant parts of the state.
Residents say the attack underscores how deeply entrenched insurgent networks remain, despite repeated assurances by authorities that Boko Haram has been largely degraded.
Pattern of Renewed Boko Haram Attacks
The latest Boko Haram abduction in Adamawa follows a similar attack carried out on January 20, when suspected insurgents reportedly attacked Kirchinga, Governor Fintiri’s hometown.
During that incident, two forest guards were killed, while another was abducted, in what residents described as a bold display of insurgent resurgence.
Local sources say these repeated attacks suggest that Boko Haram fighters are regrouping and expanding their reach across border communities linking Adamawa and Borno states.
Local Government Chairman Confirms Abduction
The Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area confirmed the abduction, describing the security situation as increasingly fragile.
“Yes, the incident happened,” he said. “The security situation is worsening, and we are awaiting updates from the security agencies handling the matter.”
He added that local authorities were in contact with security forces and community leaders to monitor developments and push for urgent intervention.
Residents Accuse Authorities of Neglect
Residents of Madagali have repeatedly raised concerns over what they describe as renewed Boko Haram activities in the area, accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate protection.
Community leaders say despite numerous reports of suspicious movements, attacks, abductions, and killings, security presence remains thin, leaving rural communities exposed.
Many residents now fear that without swift and decisive action, insurgents may continue to target families as leverage, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Growing Calls for Urgent Security Action
The abduction has sparked renewed calls for intensified military patrols, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration with local vigilantes to prevent further attacks.
Security analysts warn that the continued targeting of civilians, especially women and children, could undermine confidence in government efforts to stabilize the North-East.
As families in Palam and surrounding communities remain on edge, the fate of the abducted victims hangs in the balance, adding yet another painful chapter to Nigeria’s long-running insurgency crisis.
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