At least 16 people have been killed, dozens abducted, and shops looted in a series of bandit attacks that struck Alkaleri, the home LGA of Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, over the past four months.
According to residents, in the last four months, armed bandits unleashed several waves of violence on Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.
For instance, on 15 May 2025, armed men invaded Mansur, Digare, Sabuwar Sara, and Yalo villages in Gwana District, killing at least 15 people, mostly local vigilantes, in the late-night assault. Several others sustained serious injuries.
The attackers were said to have come from forests that border Gombe, Plateau, and Taraba States, where bandit groups have been active.
Barely a month later, on 20 June 2025, troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a launched a clearance operation in Mbulu community in the council. They rescued a kidnap victim and killed one suspect. The officers said they recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a Dane gun in the operation.
Again, on 7 July 2025, at least 10 residents were abducted when about 30 gunmen attacked Dogon Ruwa village around 3:25 a.m. One older man, identified as Sallau Mun, was shot and later died from his injuries. Police in the state said that security forces, vigilantes, and hunters were deployed in pursuit of the attackers after the incident.
Less than two weeks later, on 20 July 2025, four traders were kidnapped and shops were looted in Gyali and Mansur villages. Police confirmed that the assailants, who entered through the Yankari Game Reserve, carted away provisions and abducted the shop owners.
Further incidents followed in quick succession. On 9 August 2025, police and local operatives rescued two kidnap victims in Kataraje village. The command explained that its operatives shot dead one bandit after a gun duel, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, but two other villagers sustained injuries during the attack.
Just weeks later, on 30 and 31 August 2025, suspected kidnappers again struck in Bajoga and Jamari villages. At least four people were abducted in the twin attacks, further highlighting the persistence of the threat.
Security experts note that Alkaleri’s proximity to the vast Yankari Game Reserve has made it a haven for criminal hideouts, complicating rescue and clearance operations.
The State Police Command, in collaboration with the military, the Joint Task Force, and local vigilantes, stated that it had intensified surveillance and rescue missions; however, the recurring attacks reflect the scale of the challenge.
Locals in the communities have continued to call for government intervention and sustained security presence, warning that the wave of kidnappings is undermining farming, trade, and general livelihood in the affected communities.
Governor Bala had earlier declared that people of the state would not surrender their sovereignty and liberty to insurgency and banditry no matter its magnitude saying that, “We will rise up to defend ourselves against any intrusion. We must go to the farm, we must go to the market, the hospital, our children must go to school and we must relate and visit each other. We will therefore not succumb to their treats.”
The Governor, who was in the company of the former Commissioner of Police, Umar Sanda and other top officials declared this at the Palace of the Village Head of Mansur in Gwana District in the area.
He also promised that his administration would deal decisively with any member of the public who collaborate with bandits no matter how highly placed. “We are going to form a strong vigilant arising from what we have signed as a government and we are going to employ some of our youths to carry their destiny upon their hands. Very soon we are going to commence this process and we are going to do it and nobody will come and do it for us. We have to complement the Federal Government.”
