Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Kill 34 In Fresh Kebbi Attack

No fewer than 34 persons have been confirmed dead following coordinated attacks by suspected Lakurawa terrorists on several rural communities in Kebbi State.

The Wednesday night assault, which targeted villages in Arewa Local Government Area, particularly Bui and neighbouring settlements, left scores injured and forced residents to flee their homes.

Sources told Vanguard that the gunmen stormed the remote border communities in a highly organised operation, opening fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting residents.

Survivors described the attacks as sudden and brutal, saying the assailants invaded homes and shot at civilians without provocation.

Security sources disclosed that 16 people were killed in Mamunu village, five in Awashaka, three in Masama, and two each in five other affected communities.

The attacks triggered panic across the area, with many residents abandoning their homes for fear of further violence.

Security operatives have since been deployed to the affected communities to restore order, assist survivors, and prevent the attackers from escaping.

Sources within the security architecture said tracking operations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and dismantle their network.

When contacted, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident but did not provide further operational details.

Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru, described the killings as an unprovoked attack by “heartless terrorists” who murdered scores of fasting Muslims.

He said the state government was deeply concerned over the incident and had resolved to commit all available resources to protect lives and property.

“The latest attack by these misguided criminal elements is just the last kick of a dying horse because the Kebbi State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian military, is closing in on the terrorists, who are mostly spillovers from Niger Republic and Sokoto, as they have no permanent base in Kebbi,” Zuru stated.

He added that the state was mourning the victims and sharing in the grief of their families, assuring that survivors would receive immediate government assistance.

While condemning the assault as reckless and abominable, the government reiterated its commitment to ending security challenges in the area and preventing further attacks.