Ejiofor raises alarm over alleged insurgent ultimatum, killings in Adamawa
By Henry Nnaemeka
Human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor has raised concerns over what he described as a disturbing escalation of insurgent violence in Nigeria’s North-East, alleging that militants issued an ultimatum to Christian residents in parts of Adamawa State before launching a deadly attack that left at least 27 people dead.
In a statement issued via his Facebook page on Saturday, Ejiofor claimed that residents of Kirchinga and Garaha communities in Madagali Local Government Area were warned by armed fighters to convert to Islam, pay a levy, or abandon their ancestral homes before the assault.
According to him, the alleged ultimatum preceded a nighttime raid on the communities during which dozens of residents were reportedly killed.
“Such was the chilling ultimatum delivered to Christian residents of Kirchinga and Garaha communities in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State shortly before armed militants descended upon the villages in a brutal nocturnal assault,” he said.
The lawyer described the development as indicative of a worrying trend in which insurgent groups impose levies and conditions on vulnerable communities in areas affected by prolonged conflict.
Madagali, located near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, has been repeatedly targeted during the long-running insurgency in the North-East led by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Ejiofor also referenced reports of another attack in the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the lawyer, fighters believed to be linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP stormed the community in large numbers, allegedly overpowering a military position before attacking residents.
He said the raid resulted in the killing of both civilians and security personnel, destruction of homes, and the abduction of more than 100 civilians, mostly women and children.
Residents were said to have fled the area in large numbers, seeking refuge in neighbouring communities such as Pulka.
The insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East began in 2009 when Boko Haram launched a violent campaign against the Nigerian state.
Over the years, the conflict has spread across Borno State, Yobe State and Adamawa State, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Despite sustained military operations by Nigerian security forces and regional partners, insurgent groups have continued to stage attacks on rural communities and military formations.
Ejiofor, in his statement, questioned how large groups of insurgents can mobilise, travel across territories, and carry out coordinated attacks without being intercepted early.
The lawyer also referred to remarks attributed to the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, who reportedly warned about the role of external actors in the proliferation of arms among militant groups operating in parts of Africa.
According to Ejiofor, if such claims are verified, Nigeria’s security agencies must treat the matter with urgency, as the insurgency could involve elements of external sponsorship.
He said the recurring attacks in the North-East underscore the continuing challenges faced by communities in the region and the urgent need for stronger security responses.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the details of the incidents cited in the lawyer’s comments.
