At least 17 people have been killed in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State over the past two weeks following a series of violent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, with the latest assault occurring on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Kopre village.
The Chairman of Hong Local Government Area, Usman Wa’anganda, disclosed the grim toll during a briefing with journalists in Yola on Monday. He revealed that the most recent attack saw heavily armed militants storm the border community on motorcycles around 4:00 p.m., overwhelming local hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) with superior firepower, killing at least 10 individuals.
Several homes were set ablaze during the raid, deepening fears among residents who already live under the constant threat of insurgent violence. Wa’anganda lamented the worsening security situation, emphasizing Kopre’s vulnerability due to its proximity to the notorious Sambisa Forest, a longstanding Boko Haram stronghold.
“We only have hunters there. There are no soldiers or any security presence. Even when we call them, they don’t come,” Wa’anganda said, visibly distressed.
He acknowledged the Adamawa State Government’s efforts to empower local vigilantes but insisted that more robust action is urgently needed. The council chairman appealed to the federal government to deploy a battalion of soldiers to the area to restore peace and allow displaced residents to return safely to their homes and farmlands.
Kopre is notably the hometown of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Soldiers were stationed nearby during his tenure but were relocated after his exit, leaving the community exposed.
In response to the attacks, the Adamawa State Police Command has deployed additional personnel to the volatile border region, focusing on intelligence-driven and community-oriented strategies to safeguard lives and property.
The recent violence is part of a broader resurgence of Boko Haram and its faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which continue to terrorize northeastern Nigeria, targeting civilians and security forces alike.