Catholic Diocese Reports 24 Dead in Kebbi State Terror Attack as Mass Displacement Triggers Humanitarian Crisis

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirms 24 deaths in a Kebbi State terror attack, contradicting police reports and calling for urgent humanitarian aid.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 8:13 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Channels Television

Contradicting Official Casualty Figures

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has released a detailed report regarding a recent terror attack in the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, providing a death toll that sharply contrasts with initial official accounts. While earlier police reports suggested that four individuals had been killed, the Diocese has documented at least 24 fatalities resulting from the assault on Debe village. Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr Matthew Stephen Kabirat, addressed journalists on Thursday to clarify that the victims represented a cross-section of the community, including Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers.

Chronology of the Easter Sunday Assault

According to the Diocese, the violence began at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday when suspected terrorists stormed the community. The attackers reportedly targeted men and youths specifically, with the assault extending into the following day. This sustained violence forced a mass exodus of residents who were left with no choice but to flee for their lives. The Diocese has since compiled a formal list of the names of those killed to ensure that the scale of the tragedy is accurately recorded and acknowledged by the public.

Systematic Destruction of Religious and Civil Infrastructure

The invasion resulted in the widespread destruction of critical community structures, signaling a systematic attempt to displace the population. St Mary’s Catholic Church and the catechist’s residence were razed to the ground, alongside a local mosque and numerous private residences. The violence was not contained within Debe, as attackers allegedly moved into the neighboring communities of Binuwa and Kalkame. In these areas, markets and the residence of the local emir were destroyed, further crippling the social and economic fabric of the region.