A late-night attack in Adamawa State has left a former councillor dead and his two sons abducted, as armed militants stormed Kirchinga community in Madagali Local Government Area on Monday. The assault marks yet another escalation in northern Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly in border communities that have endured years of repeated incursions.

Local sources confirmed that the victim, Hon. Thlama Sini, a former councillor representing Kirchinga Ward, was targeted during the attack. Witnesses said the gunmen broke into his residence during the raid and seized him along with his children. His body was later found, while the attackers fled with the boys into the surrounding forest.

The incident has triggered widespread fear in Kirchinga, the hometown of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Residents say the community has weathered multiple attacks over the years, yet the latest killing underscores how deeply insecurity has persisted despite increased military deployments across Nigeria’s northeast.

Security operatives have begun search operations across escape routes that connect Madagali with neighbouring Borno, a corridor notorious for militant movements. However, residents say the attackers appeared familiar with the terrain, disappearing quickly before local vigilantes could mobilise.

Community leaders describe the killing as a devastating blow, noting that Sini was widely respected and had been active in mediating local disputes and supporting neighbourhood security initiatives. Many residents expressed frustration that such an attack could still occur despite recent government assurances of improved surveillance.

The abduction of his sons has further heightened tensions, with family members urging authorities to act swiftly. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Adamawa State Police Command, and the number of attackers involved remains unclear.

The assault adds to a troubling pattern of targeted killings and kidnappings across northern states, where communities continue to grapple with overlapping threats from bandits and insurgent cells. Analysts warn that unless coordinated military pressure and community protection measures are reinforced, such incidents will remain recurrent.

More updates to follow as security agencies release confirmed details and search efforts advance.