YOLA/HONG, ADAMAWA STATE, DECEMBER 25, 2025 – In a grim reminder of the persistent security threat facing northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram insurgents launched a major assault on communities in Adamawa State on Christmas Day, killing at least two soldiers and an unconfirmed number of civilians. The attack occurred in the Garaha District of Hong Local Government Area, near the border with Borno State and the notorious Sambisa Forest.
The Attack: A Swift and Overwhelming Assault
According to eyewitness and security sources, a large contingent of insurgents, “numbering in several hundreds,” invaded the town of Mayo Ladde within the Garaha District in the early hours of December 25.
The attackers reportedly overwhelmed local security forces, including police, troops from the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF). The insurgents pushed into the Garaha Market area before engaging in a firefight.
A police source confirmed that an anti-terror unit based in Garaha, led by Supol Kuva Gaya, responded to distress calls around 2 a.m. in collaboration with the military. Despite this swift response, the superior force of the attackers led to significant casualties.
Casualties and Aftermath
Initial reports confirm the death of two Nigerian Army soldiers, whose bodies were taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Hong. Hospital management at FMC Hong confirmed receiving both fatalities and soldiers injured in the attack.
The exact number of civilian casualties remains unknown, but eyewitnesses described the situation as “gravely deplorable.” Local sources indicate that many residents have fled their homes in Garaha District, seeking refuge in Hong as internally displaced persons (IDPs). Normal life has yet to return to the affected area.
Official Response and Ongoing Tensions
The Adamawa State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Supol Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the attack but stated that the situation has been brought under control. Attempts to reach the Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade for an official statement were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
This attack underscores the enduring threat posed by Boko Haram and its offshoots in the region, despite ongoing military operations. It notably occurred in an area that has been a repeated target for insurgents and shares a border with the Sambisa Forest, a known militant stronghold.
The Christmas Day assault in Adamawa casts a long shadow over recent optimistic pronouncements, such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s prediction that banditry and insurgency would be “defeated” in 2026. It starkly highlights the complex and ongoing nature of the security challenge in Nigeria’s northeast, even as the government pursues international partnerships like the recent U.S.-assisted airstrikes in Sokoto State.
