A newly active armed terror group, known as Lakurawa, has been wreaking havoc across Sokoto and Kebbi States.
Gists9ja reports that hhis group launched a deadly attack on Mera town, located in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi, on Friday afternoon, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least fifteen individuals.
The attack occurred just as local residents were preparing for the Jumaat prayers. Alhaji Bashir Mera, a local resident and source of information, confirmed that the armed group raided the town, seizing over one hundred cattle and leaving destruction in their wake. The assailants fled the scene with their spoils, but their actions provoked an immediate response from the town’s residents. A large number of locals gathered to pursue the attackers in the surrounding bushlands in a bid to recover the stolen cattle. This confrontation quickly escalated into an armed clash, with gunfire exchanged between the local residents and the terror group. The violence resulted in the deaths of fifteen villagers and two members of the Lakurawa group.
A second eyewitness, identified only as Yarima, explained that while the Lakurawa group had previously confined their activities to cattle rustling, demanding Zakat (a form of Muslim charity) from wealthy families, this attack marked a more violent turn in their operations. The group had been active for nearly two months, stealing cattle but avoiding casualties until this deadly confrontation in Mera. Yarima also revealed that the group’s activities are primarily coordinated from Sokoto, which has become a central base of operations.
In response to the escalating violence, the Kebbi State government expressed its deep concern. Governor Atiku Bagudu, upon hearing of the attack, quickly reached out to local officials, including calling Yarima twice to offer support. To secure Mera and prevent further attacks, the governor ordered the immediate deployment of military forces, including armed soldiers with gun trucks and armored tanks. These forces, supported by security personnel from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), swiftly mobilized to the area, managing to restore some level of calm.
The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Samaila Mera, along with the Emir of Argungu, also visited the town to express their condolences to the grieving families and to reassure the local population of their safety. The deputy governor reassured the people that the state government, in collaboration with the military, is committed to safeguarding the region from further attacks by this terror group.
Despite these efforts, attempts to contact the Kebbi State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, for further comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
This attack comes at a time when concerns are growing over the rise of new terror factions in the northwestern part of Nigeria. The Nigerian Army recently confirmed the presence of this new terror group, believed to have ties to jihadi factions operating in Mali and Niger. In a statement issued by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, it was revealed that the military has been closely monitoring the group’s movements and is actively developing counter-strategies to address the growing security threat in the region.
The emergence of Lakurawa is seen as part of a broader trend linked to the political instability in neighboring Mali and Niger, which has provided a fertile ground for extremist elements to cross into Nigeria. As these armed groups expand their influence, both the military and local authorities are under immense pressure to respond swiftly and effectively to secure the lives of civilians and protect the region from further violence.
