Timeline: How Boko Haram, Bandits Attacked Northeast In 2026

From mass killings and military base attacks to kidnappings and mass displacement, assaults across the Northeastern states comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe have shown that the region is still facing persistent security challenges.

Gombe State governor and chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has recently warned that despite gains against insurgents, Boko Haram has not been completely defeated, as attacks on communities continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across the region.

“Boko Haram has been weakened but not defeated, and we still see attacks on our communities. Banditry and communal clashes are emerging as new threats,” Yahaya said on October 3, 2026, at the 13th meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Some attacks attributed to Boko Haram have targeted military formations, rural communities, markets and people travelling along highways, leaving residents dead, others abducted and thousands displaced from their homes.

A review of reported incidents between January 1 and October 15 by LEADERSHIP shows that Borno has remained a major hotspot of insurgent operations, while Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba have also experienced attacks and kidnappings, with some related to banditry. Gombe has recorded security incidents, including an attempted raid and reported kidnapping-related operations, while Yobe has faced attacks on military positions.

The timeline below documents major reported incidents in the region. 

January: Attacks On Military Positions

On January 16, suspected insurgents launched coordinated attacks on military positions in Adamawa and Borno states.

In Adamawa, attackers attempted to overrun a patrol base in Sabon Gari, Madagali Local Government Area. In Borno, another group attacked Forward Operating Base Azir.

The Nigerian military said troops repelled both attacks following prolonged engagements and support from air components.

Four days later, ISWAP fighters attacked a patrol team operating around Damasak in Borno State. Reports showed that an ambush in the area on January 26 killed seven soldiers and led to the capture of 13 others.

In Gombe, police and local security groups foiled an attempted bandit raid on Guda Lamido village in Kashere, Akko LGA, on January 13. No casualties were reported in the incident.

February: Bandits Displaced Thousands In Bauchi

In February, armed bandit attacks in Bauchi State forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.

On February 26 and 27, suspected bandits attacked Mansur, Teshan Dutse and Gwana communities in Alkaleri LGA.

The attacks displaced 12,168 people from 2,857 households, including 4,338 children and 5,030 women, according to the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix. The displaced residents sought refuge in neighbouring communities, including areas of Gombe State.

March: Military-Base Attacks, Maiduguri Bombings

March witnessed renewed attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe, followed by deadly explosions in Maiduguri.

On March 1, meanwhile, bandit attacks on Gwana community in Alkaleri LGA displaced another 446 people from 73 households, with 55 injuries associated with the attacks.

On March 9, suspected insurgents attacked a military formation in Goniri, Gujba LGA, Yobe State, destroying military operational vehicles before troops repelled them.

On the same day, ISWAP attacked a military camp in Kukawa LGA, Borno State, reportedly killing the commanding officer and other personnel. The violence reached Maiduguri on March 16, when multiple suspected suicide bombings struck locations including the post office, Monday Market and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

LEADERSHIP reported that at least 23 people were killed and more than 108 injured. 

April: Guyaku Massacre 

On April 26, suspected ISWAP fighters attacked residents gathered to watch a football match in Guyaku and nearby Telabala communities in Gombi LGA, Adamawa State.

At least 29 people were reportedly killed in the attack. Homes, motorcycles and religious buildings were also reported destroyed or burnt. ISWAP subsequently claimed responsibility for the assault.

May And June: Killings, School Abductions

In May, attacks on civilians continued in Borno State. Reports published around May 20 and 21 said Boko Haram fighters killed 27 fishermen in Mafa district and six loggers near Malam Maja village in Dikwa district, bringing the reported death toll from the two incidents to 33.

On June 29, LEADERSHIP also reported a mass abduction at a secondary school in Lassa, Borno State, involving 36 students and a staff member.

July: Bandits Kill Residents, Abduct A Traditional Ruler In Taraba

In Taraba State, a series of attacks between June 30 and July 27 affected communities in Lau LGA, including Kunini, Jimlari, Garin-Magaji, Donnada and Garin-Dogo.

Reports published in late July said at least five people were killed in separate attacks, several others injured, and hundreds of residents forced to flee their homes.

Among those abducted was Jauro Tace, the village head of Garin-Magaji, who was reportedly released after a ransom payment.

The incidents were linked to suspected bandits carrying out raids and kidnapping operations in the area.

In Bauchi, attacks by armed bandits on Bagel and Kagadama villages in Dass LGA on July 8 killed one person and abducted four others.

September: Fresh Attacks In Adamawa, Security Operations In Gombe

On September 7, suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Zangola community in Gombi LGA, Adamawa State, killing at least 12 people, injuring three and abducting a woman, according to reports.

Several houses, shops and a place of worship were reportedly destroyed or burnt.

October: Attacks On Military Positions, Rural Communities

On October 2, coordinated attacks occurred around Hong and Gombi LGAs between September 30 and October 1, including an assault on a military outpost in the Garaha area.

The report said soldiers and a forest guard were killed, civilians abducted, and residents displaced. 

On October 7, ISWAP fighters reportedly attacked a military base in Kukawa LGA, Borno State, killing at least 10 soldiers. The military said troops repelled the assault and killed more than 25 insurgents in a counteroffensive.

Two days later, suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Bala-Tela village in Gombi LGA, Adamawa State, killing one person and burning a church building, a vehicle and other property, according to local reporting.

Similarly, on October 12, another attack targeted Forward Operating Base Garaha in Hong LGA, Adamawa State, with troops reportedly repelling the attack and killing six assailants.

This shows that Borno has experienced repeated attacks on military bases, civilian killings and bombings, while Adamawa has recorded deadly raids on rural communities and attacks on military positions.

In Bauchi, bandit attacks in Alkaleri and Dass have killed residents, triggered abductions and forced thousands to flee. Taraba has experienced a series of attacks and kidnappings, including the abduction of a traditional ruler.

Gombe has faced attempted raids and kidnapping-related security concerns, while Yobe has recorded attacks on military positions in Gujba LGA.

At the North-East Governors’ Forum meeting in Maiduguri, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State acknowledged progress in regional cooperation but warned that continued attacks and the emergence of banditry and communal clashes remained major concerns.

He also noted that many displaced residents were still waiting to return home safely.

The governor called for stronger mechanisms to translate regional agreements into measurable results, including improved security and intelligence coordination.