No fewer than 14 persons have been killed following an attack by suspected terrorists on several communities in Adamawa State, source reports.

The attack, which occurred late on Wednesday night, affected remote villages in a border area of the state, leaving residents in shock and forcing many to flee their homes for safety.

Eyewitnesses told source that the assailants, who were heavily armed, stormed the communities on motorcycles, shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze before escaping into nearby bush paths.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Chairman of the affected Local Government Area, Mr. Musa Ibrahim, described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable,” saying that 14 bodies had so far been recovered, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“We have confirmed the death of 14 innocent people, including women and youths. Many residents are still missing, and we fear the casualty figure may rise as search efforts continue,” Ibrahim said.

He explained that the communities had been experiencing repeated threats from armed groups, adding that the latest attack had overwhelmed local vigilantes and security volunteers.

The council boss called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy more military personnel to the area to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.

“Our people can no longer sleep with both eyes closed. We urgently need a strong military presence here. The current security arrangement is not enough to deter these terrorists,” he said.

Ibrahim also appealed for humanitarian assistance for displaced residents, noting that many families had lost their homes, food supplies and means of livelihood as a result of the attacks.

Reacting to the incident, the Adamawa State Police Command said it had deployed operatives to the affected areas and commenced a manhunt for the perpetrators.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, told our source that security agencies were working in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure the safety of lives and property.

“We have deployed tactical teams to the area, and investigation is ongoing. We urge residents to remain calm and provide useful information that can help security agencies apprehend the criminals,” Nguroje said.

Meanwhile, residents have continued to express fear over the recurring attacks, calling on authorities to strengthen security, particularly in rural and border communities.

Source reports that Adamawa State has witnessed sporadic attacks in recent years, especially in hard-to-reach areas, raising concerns about the safety of rural dwellers and the need for sustained security operations.