Armed men suspected to be members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) have brutally murdered the traditional ruler of Kinnari, a remote village in Damasak, located within Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
The violent attack occurred on the night of Friday, August 1, at approximately 9:00 p.m., when the insurgents launched a surprise assault on the quiet rural community.
According to information provided by counterinsurgency expert and security analyst Zagazola Makama, the assailants stormed the village heavily armed and opened fire on the residence of the village head. The 65-year-old traditional leader, identified as Goni Kinnari, was shot at close range with a rifle and died instantly.
Eyewitnesses reported that the insurgents operated swiftly and left the scene shortly after executing their target, causing widespread panic among villagers, many of whom fled into nearby bushes for safety.
In the aftermath of the killing, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, immediately mobilised and responded to the distress calls from the community. The combined security forces were able to engage the fleeing terrorists in a brief gunfight and successfully repelled them from the area, averting further bloodshed or abductions.
The body of the slain village head was later recovered and transported to the General Hospital in Damasak, where medical personnel formally confirmed him dead on arrival. His remains were subsequently handed over to his family members for burial, in accordance with Islamic rites.
As a precautionary measure following the attack, security operatives have significantly increased patrols within and around Kinnari village. The military has also launched intensified surveillance operations to track down the perpetrators and to prevent any possible reprisal or follow-up attacks on the already shaken community.
The cold-blooded assassination of the traditional ruler highlights the continued threat posed by ISWAP and other extremist groups operating in northeastern Nigeria. In recent years, such groups have increasingly targeted local leaders, viewing them as symbolic figures of state authority and community cohesion. By attacking them, insurgents aim to undermine local governance structures and sow fear among rural populations.
Residents of the area, though still gripped by fear, have expressed hope that the swift response by the military will restore some level of confidence and security in the community. Community leaders and rights groups have called for sustained military presence and enhanced intelligence gathering to prevent similar occurrences in the future.