New Terror Group, Lakurawa Launches Deadly Attack In Kebbi

A newly active armed terror group operating in Sokoto and Kebbi States, known as Lakurawa, attacked Mera town in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Friday, killing at least fifteen people.
According to Alhaji Bashir Mera, a local source who confirmed the attack, the group struck as residents were preparing for Jumaat prayers on Friday afternoon, making off with at least one hundred cattle.
“Upon receiving the news, the people of the town mobilised hundreds to pursue the group into the bush to recover the animals, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the locals and the group, resulting in the deaths of fifteen townspeople and two members of the Lakurawa group.”
Another resident identified simply as Yarima, added that the group is based in Sokoto, from where it coordinates its attacks.
He explained that initially, “They did not kill anyone but only confiscated cattle, demanding Zakat, the obligatory Muslim charity from wealth meeting the threshold. This had been happening for almost two months.
“This is the first attack involving killings in Mera. The governor expressed deep concern, calling me twice when he learned of the incident, and he quickly deployed armed soldiers with gun trucks and armoured tanks to secure the town.”
“The commanding officer of Dukku barracks, the DSS director, the Commissioner of Police, and combined security forces have since mobilised to the scene and restored calm,” Yarima reported.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, visited the town to condole with families of the deceased and reassure the people of their safety.
The deputy governor affirmed that the governor is gravely concerned by the attack and has pledged to ensure the people’s protection against further threats from the armed group.
Didactic Information Hut recalls that the Nigeria Army in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, had revealed that the Nigerian military has identified this new terror group, with affiliations with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger, heightening security concerns in Nigeria’s northwestern region.
Buba explained, “The emergence of this group is linked to political instability in Mali and Niger, which has facilitated the spread of extremist elements into Nigeria.”
He also said that the military is closely monitoring the group’s activities and is developing counter-strategies.