34 killed as Lakurawa terrorists attack Kebbi communities

At least 34 residents have been killed after suspected Lakurawa terrorists launched coordinated attacks on rural communities in Kebbi State, triggering panic and forcing many villagers to flee for safety.

The attacks occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the Arewa Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed several settlements around 1:15 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and targeting residents across multiple communities.

Multiple communities hit in coordinated assault

Reports indicate that the violence affected several villages in the remote border district, with Mamunu recording the highest number of casualties at 16. Five people were killed in Awashaka, three in Masama, while two residents each were reportedly killed in five other affected communities.

Survivors described the attacks as coordinated and intense, with armed men moving between villages and opening fire on residents. The violence sparked widespread panic, forcing families to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas.

The spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, confirmed the attacks and said residents from affected communities, including Mamunu, Awashaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Gorun Naidal, and Dan Mai Ago, mobilized to resist the attackers.

He added that the assailants also rustled cattle during the invasion, compounding the losses suffered by residents. Security forces, alongside armed local groups, were immediately deployed to the area to restore calm and pursue the attackers.

Rising insurgent threat in Nigeria’s north-west

The Lakurawa group is a relatively new insurgent faction believed to be operating mainly in Kebbi and neighbouring Sokoto State, contributing to growing insecurity in Nigeria’s north-west region.

The latest attack comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies and international partners to curb insurgency and armed violence. Reports indicate that about 100 United States soldiers recently arrived in Nigeria to support intelligence operations and provide training to Nigerian forces in their counterinsurgency efforts.

The incident also occurred just days after Kebbi hosted the UNESCO-listed Argungu fishing festival, a major cultural event held roughly 60 kilometres from the affected communities.

Authorities say security operations are ongoing, with police, soldiers, and local security groups combing nearby forests and surrounding areas in search of the perpetrators. Residents, meanwhile, remain on edge as fears of further attacks continue to spread across the region.

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