In a reprisal attack following the killing of their leader, Maigemu, by combined security operatives last Thursday, the Lakurawa group attacked Birnin Dede, a community in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on Sunday, killing 13 people.
The Lakurawa group, which consists of individuals from various tribes, including Hausa, Fulani, Touareg, Barebari, and others, has been operating in Kebbi State and its environs for some time.
Additionally, in Ondo State, gunmen killed 14 farmers and razed several communities.
A local from Kebbi State, Musa Gado, said the terrorists group also set eight villages in the area on fire during the attack. He said, “The attackers spared only one village that was guarded by the soldiers. We seek protection from Allah against this dreaded group.”
Another local, Suleiman Abubakar, who said he lost a brother in the attack, told our correspondent that the terrorists group invaded their community at night, after the maghrib prayer.
“It was a terrible situation for us. They killed many of our people and burnt some of them with their houses. No one was spared, women and children were attacked,” he said.
Other villages torched by the assailants are; Birni Garin Nagoro, Yar Goru, Dan Marke, and Tambo.
“The terrorists stormed the villages around 8:48 p.m. on March 9, 2025, setting houses ablaze and shooting indiscriminately. Among the deceased was Garba Maigari (50), while the identities of the other victims remain unknown,” another source said.
Daily Trust also gathered that several injured victims were taken to Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, for treatment.
The Chairman of Arewa Local Government, Sani Aliyu, confirmed the attack. He said security personnel have been drafted to the affected communities while the government is still assessing the situation.
It would be recalled that as part of ongoing efforts to curb the activities of the armed group in the state, a combined security force, supported by Governor Nasir Idris, recently killed the group’s leader, Maigemu, in a gun duel at Kuncin-baba, Arewa area of the state.
It would also be recalled that the terrorists had in February, attacked Gulma community in Argungu Local Government Area, killing one person and injuring six others.
Similarly, the group was said to be behind the killing of two immigration officers and one civilian at Kangiwa border, in Kangiwa Local Government Area in January this year.
Lakurawa behind the attack – Police
Reacting, the Kebbi State Police Command said suspected Lakurawa members in their large numbers with sophisticated weapons invaded Birnin Debi, Dogon Daji, Danmarke, Yar Goru, Tambo, Garin Nagoro and Garin Rugga communities, all in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State and Republic of Niger, and killed 11 people while two others sustained gunshot wounds.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, said the bandits also set ablaze some houses at the affected villages during the attack.
It added that the Police Commissioner, Bello Muhammed Sani, had reviewed the security architecture of the area, deployed additional tactical teams and charged them to decisively deal with members of the group and ensure that they are chased out of the area.
‘We’re winning war against bandits, Lakurawa’
Only recently, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, said the war against banditry and terrorists had been progressively and steadily won.
Speaking at the 2024 West African Social Activities (WASA), organised by the army at the Giginya Barrack, Sokoto, Ajose who is the Commander, Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said several bandits’ leaders and their foot soldiers had been eliminated.
“The war against banditry and terrorists across the area of responsibility has been progressively and steadily won by our troops, as several bandit leaders and their supporters have been eliminated.”
(Daily Trust)
