At approximately 7 pm on Christmas Eve, two groups of ISWAP fighters—first in trucks and later reinforcements on motorcycles and by foot—invaded Garkida town in Gombi LGA, chanting “Allahu Akbar” as they moved from one Christian premise to another. They asked Christians to convert “or face their wrath,” selectively targeted Christian properties (church buildings, homes, vehicles, pharmaceutical shops, a general hospital, a new shopping mall and a construction company‘s equipment), looted medical supplies and food meant for holiday distributions, and set buildings ablaze. Muslim houses and properties were deliberately bypassed. At least six civilians were killed on the night of the attack, one of whom was a female victim shot by a stray bullet. Gun battles erupted between the fighters and soldiers of the 232 Battalion (who were deployed in the town) and local vigilantes. Residents fled to the top of the mountain range and endured harsh harmattan conditions through the night. Airstrikes from the Nigerian Air Force helped beat back the fighters, but not before they looted and set fire to property. At least 11 residents were abducted; some were later executed, with ISWAP releasing a video showing the killing of five of the abducted residents. The fighters withdrew around 1 am.
24 Dec 2020 · Garkida, Gombi, Adamawa
Deaths
6
Injured
3
Kidnapped
11
Total casualties
9
Perpetrators
ISWAP
Response
The raid marked Garkida’s shift into a “seasonal target.” The town had previously been attacked in February 2020, and the December strike proved that even after rebuilding (e.g., Living Faith Church), the community remained vulnerable to repeat cycles of violence.
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Sectarian targeting, psychological impact of striking during Christmas, propaganda value.
Trajectory
This attack marked Garkida's shift into a "seasonal target." The town was previously hit in February 2020; the December strike proved that even after rebuilding (such as the Living Faith Church), the community remained vulnerable to "repeat cycles" of violence.
Cycle notes
The Garkida attack mirrors several confirmed Boko Haram/ISWAP sectarian and holiday‑period assaults on civilian and religious targets, particularly those designed to coincide with Christian festivities and maximize psychological impact. It closely aligns with the 25 December 2011 Madalla church bombing (St. Theresa Catholic Church, Niger), where worshippers were killed during Christmas celebrations, and the December 2014 Gumsuri attack (Borno State), which combined killings and abductions during the holiday period. It also mirrors the same‑day 24 December 2020 Pemi attack in Chibok LGA (Borno State), showing a coordinated Christmas Eve offensive across multiple states. More broadly, it reflects Boko Haram and ISWAP’s repeated pattern of targeting Christian communities, religious infrastructure, and public gatherings during major holidays, using raids, intimidation, and forced displacement as tools of psychological and sectarian warfare.
Pattern
The Sectarian SurgicalStrike — Unlike the general pillaging of earlier years, the 2020 Garkida attack was highly selective. Insurgents used local guides to skip Muslim-owned homes and focus entirely on Christian targets and government infrastructure.
Related — Banditry
Armed Bandits in large numbers attacked the outskirts of Adabka village in Bukkuyum LGA, Zamfara State, abducting several residents. Reports indicate four were rescued, while nine security operatives went missing.
Bandits attacked Idijiyi Unguwan Danladi community in Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State. One person was killed, several injured, and victims were rescued by army troops.
Bandits attacked Kushe Gugbu community in Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State. A Catholic priest was abducted, and one person was killed during the assault.