A chaotic scene appears to be unfolding in Bauchi State as thousands flee Alkaleri Local Government Area after violent attacks by armed bandits.

Communities including Mansur, Digare, Gwana, Futuk, and Yalo have been overrun. Reports say bandits now control forest corridors near the Daji Dam axis.

Unverified videos shared online appear to show many people scampering for safety amidst background sounds of gunfire.

On February 22, more than 100 armed assailants raided Gwana District at midnight, attacking Garin Kafi, Rimi, Gobir, and Kargo villages.

The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed that a Joint Task Force base was also targeted. Seven bandits were killed, but two soldiers, one vigilante, and at least one resident died.

Bandits abducted the wives and daughters of Imam Abubakar Muhammad Digare, Chief Imam of JIBWIS in Digare town, along with other residents.

Governor Bala Mohammed visited displaced persons sheltering at Central Primary School Kashere in Gombe State.

He warned that over 10,000-armed bandits have occupied parts of Alkaleri, recruiting locals and former illegal miners.

“The situation is escalating to a level where it will become a big humanitarian crisis,” he said, but some pundits disputed his estimates as alarmist.

Families have now fled into Gombe, Taraba, and Plateau States, abandoning farms and businesses during Ramadan.

Federal Response and Security Operations

After meeting President Bola Tinubu on February 27, fresh directives were issued to security chiefs to reinforce operations.

Today, Tuesday, March 3, the Department of State Services arrested two suspected arms couriers in Gombe with RPG warheads and launchers allegedly bound for Kukawa village in Alkaleri.

The violence threatens Bauchi’s growing oil, gas, and mining investments, and potentially could spread to other parts of the north and the rest of the country.

Governor Mohammed is coordinating a joint summit with neighboring states to establish a unified front against bandits operating across shared forest belts.