No fewer than 15 people have been killed in an attack by Lakurawas, a new terrorist group, on Mera village in Augie LGA of Kebbi state.
Nafiu Abubakar, spokesperson for the Kebbi state police command, on Saturday, said the attack occurred around 2 p.m. on Friday.
“The terrorists attacked the village around 2 p.m. on Friday,” Abubakar said, adding that a significant number of cows were also rustled during the assault.
He said Bello Sanni, Kebbi state police commissioner, has mobilised a team of officers to the area “in an attempt to apprehend the perpetrators”.
“Investigations are still ongoing and the findings will be made public,” he added.
The 15 victims were buried on Saturday in a funeral attended by several prominent figures, including Abubakar Tafida, the deputy governor of Kebbi state; Samaila Mera, the Emir of Argungu; and the state’s police commissioner.
The Lakurawas group is believed to operate in multiple regions of northern Nigeria, with its activities reportedly extending into several LGAs in Sokoto state.
Ahmed Rufai, spokesperson for the Sokoto State police command, said the armed group operates in five local government areas in Sokoto, including Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illela, and one other LGA.
He described the group as heavily armed with “sophisticated weapons.”
On the same day, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja issued a statement declaring nine suspected members of the group wanted.
Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, explained that the Lakurawas group had begun infiltrating northern Sokoto and Kebbi from neighbouring Niger Republic and Mali.
He said the recent coup in Niger Republic disrupted military cooperation between the country and Nigeria.
The situation in both states remains tense as security forces continue their efforts to contain the spread of the group.
