Suspected terrorists have abducted six members of a family following an attack on Madagali Local Government Area, the hometown of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Adamawa State Police Command spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday morning, noting that the assailants also rustled livestock during the raid on Gare Village, Pallam District.
Nguroje disclosed that a combined team of security operatives, comprising personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, troops of 144 Battalion, and the Civilian Joint Task Force, has been deployed to the affected area to rescue the victims.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Command immediately intensified collaboration and deployed additional personnel and operational assets in a joint operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Troops of 144 Battalion, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to the affected area and surrounding communities,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, Dankombo Morris, has ordered sustained search-and-rescue operations, reinforced patrols, and heightened security presence across Madagali and other border communities to ensure the safe return of the victims and forestall further attacks.
“The Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies, remain fully committed to protecting lives and properties across the State. Further updates will be communicated,” Nguroje added.
The attack comes as Governor Fintiri embarked on a tour of the state’s 21 local governments on Tuesday to assess the security situation and other challenges facing residents.
Madagali is the latest flashpoint in a series of violent incidents plaguing the state. Hong Local Government Area was recently attacked, with 12 persons killed and several houses destroyed.
Similarly, a communal crisis between Bachaman and Chobo communities in Lamurde Local Government Area claimed over 20 lives earlier this year, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in the state.