By Trendsetter Tribune 
YOLA, Nigeria — In a daring and symbolic assault, Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly overrun the villages of Sheweri and Kirchinga in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The attack, which took place over the weekend of February 21–22, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the region as Kirchinga is the ancestral hometown of the state’s executive governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
The breach represents a significant escalation in the insurgents’ efforts to regain territory in Adamawa, a state that had seen a period of relative stability prior to the renewed 2026 offensive.
The Assault on Kirchinga
According to local reports and fleeing residents, the insurgents arrived in a large convoy of motorcycles and trucks, utilizing the dense cover of the nearby Sambisa Forest to bypass military checkpoints.
- The Attack: Witnesses described a coordinated night raid. The insurgents reportedly opened fire indiscriminately, targeting both security outposts and residential homes.
- The Displacement: Hundreds of residents from both Sheweri and Kirchinga have fled toward the mountainous borders of neighboring Cameroon or into the relative safety of Michika and Madagali town centers.
- Casualties: While official figures have not yet been released by the Adamawa State Police Command, local vigilante groups claim at least 12 people were killed during the initial chaos, including two local guards.
A Pattern of Renewed Violence
The overrunning of Governor Fintiri’s hometown is part of a broader “winter surge” by Boko Haram and its offshoots, who have intensified their operations across the Northeast in early 2026.
| Location | Date | Incident |
| Kirchinga/Sheweri | Feb 22, 2026 | Villages overrun; mass displacement of residents. |
| Woro Village | Feb 4, 2026 | 162 people killed in one of the deadliest village massacres in recent months. |
| Wajirko, Borno | Jan 31, 2026 | Attack on laborers repairing a bridge; 10–20 feared dead. |
| Zah & Kijing | Dec 2025 | 14 dead following Christmas-week raids near the Sambisa border. |
Political and Military Fallout
The fact that the insurgents were able to penetrate the Governor’s own hometown has sparked intense debate over the efficacy of current “mop-up” operations in the region.
- The Governor’s Response: Governor Fintiri, who has frequently praised the military’s efforts to secure the Madagali-Michika axis, has not yet issued a formal statement. However, sources in Yola indicate he is in emergency talks with the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
- The “Trump Factor”: The attack follows recent claims from the Trump administration that U.S.-supported Nigerian forces were “annihilating” terrorists. This breach suggests that despite high-tech surveillance and drone strikes, ground-level security remains porous.
- Vigilante Frustration: Local hunters and vigilantes in Madagali have expressed frustration, claiming they were forced to retreat due to a lack of ammunition while the insurgents were armed with “heavy belt-fed weapons.”
“They came with a message. They wanted to show that even the Governor’s backyard is not safe. We watched our homes burn because we didn’t have the firepower to stand against them.” — Sani Mohammed, Kirchinga resident
What’s Next?
The Nigerian Army has reportedly deployed a reinforced battalion to retake Sheweri and Kirchinga.
- Humanitarian Crisis: International NGOs are warning of an “imminent hunger crisis” as the 2026 lean season approaches, with displaced farmers now unable to access their land for the spring planting.
- Heightened Security: Expect increased curfews across northern Adamawa as security forces attempt to flush out the remaining insurgent cells from the hills surrounding Madagali.