The Chairman of Hong Local Government Area in Adamawa State, Usman Wa’anganda, has confirmed the tragic loss of 17 lives in his council within the last two weeks, as Boko Haram insurgents continue to wreak havoc in the region.
Speaking with a group of journalists in Yola on Monday, Wa’anganda detailed a recent deadly attack on the village of Kopre, where insurgents stormed the border community on motorcycles and killed at least 10 hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. The attack occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, around 4:00 p.m. when the armed insurgents overwhelmed the local defenders with superior firepower.
"The armed insurgents stormed the border community, overpowering our local defenders who could only fight back with limited resources," the chairman said, visibly shaken by the horrific events. The attack left many homes burnt and added to the growing fears among residents, who have already been living under constant threat from Boko Haram.
Wa’anganda expressed deep concern for the worsening security situation, particularly in Kopre, which lies on the border with the notorious Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold for Boko Haram. The chairman lamented that despite repeated calls for military intervention, the region remains largely unprotected, with only local hunters attempting to defend the area.
“We only have hunters here,” he said. “There are no soldiers or any security presence. Even when we call them, they don’t come. The situation here is disappointing, and it’s giving me sleepless nights.”
The chairman also praised the efforts of the Adamawa State Government to empower local vigilantes but insisted that more needed to be done to tackle the escalating violence. He appealed to the federal government to send a battalion to the area to restore peace and allow displaced residents to return to their homes and farms.
Kopre, which is also the hometown of the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has seen a decline in military presence following his departure from office. While soldiers were stationed in nearby Garaha during Mustapha’s tenure, they were withdrawn after his exit, leaving the region vulnerable to insurgent attacks.
As the situation continues to spiral out of control, the call for greater military presence in the region grows louder, with Wa’anganda urging the government to act swiftly before more lives are lost.
