Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Dozens of residents across multiple communities in Kebbi State have been killed in what security sources and local residents describe as a series of coordinated terrorist attacks allegedly carried out by fighters linked to the armed group locally referred to as Lakurawa. The raids, which occurred over the past 48 hours in several rural settlements, have left villages in mourning, displaced scores of families and sparked urgent appeals for enhanced security operations.
According to preliminary reports gathered from residents and security informants familiar with the developments, the attackers struck at dawn in at least three neighbouring communities located near the state’s borders with Zamfara and Niger Republic. Eyewitnesses said the assailants moved in sizeable numbers on motorbikes, opening fire indiscriminately on villagers, burning homes and looting property before withdrawing into surrounding bushland.
Residents forced to flee described scenes of chaos, with gunshots echoing for several hours. Survivors spoke of finding bodies in open fields, along farm access routes and near community gathering points after the attackers had withdrawn. Local volunteers assisting in recovery operations estimated that dozens of civilians — including men, women and children — were killed, though exact figures have not yet been independently verified by official authorities.
Security sources speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that patrols from the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force were dispatched to the affected areas following distress calls from community leaders. The forces reportedly arrived after the attackers had retreated, and have since begun combing operations in surrounding forests and farmlands believed to be staging areas for the militants.
The term “Lakurawa” is widely used in parts of northwest Nigeria to describe armed groups suspected of involvement in banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling and terror attacks. These groups are often thought to operate in fluid alliances with other criminal and insurgent networks across porous border regions. While there has been no formal claim of responsibility for the latest attacks, multiple sources link the brutality and coordination to fighters associated with Lakurawa factions.
Community elders and traditional leaders in the affected villages expressed deep grief, calling the raids among the deadliest in recent memory. In a statement issued by traditional authorities in one of the communities, residents said they were “traumatised and devastated” by the loss of loved ones, livestock and property. Elderly residents also reported that attackers went house to house, pursuing anyone who tried to escape.
The attacks have also triggered a wave of internal displacement. Families who survived the initial raids are now sheltering in neighbouring towns, reluctant to return until security forces can guarantee protection. Women and children, many of whom were wounded or traumatised by the violence, are receiving rudimentary assistance from community volunteers and informal relief groups.
At least one local youth leader said that the speed and coordination of the assaults appeared to signal pre-attack reconnaissance and knowledge of community routines. “They came prepared, and they knew where people were likely to be,” one resident said, citing that the attacks began at a time when villagers were returning from early morning chores.
State and federal security officials have not yet issued comprehensive casualty figures or a formal assessment of the incidents, but sources within military intelligence confirmed that operations were ongoing to locate and engage the militants. Surveillance and aerial reconnaissance have been deployed in some sectors to support ground forces, though dense vegetation and difficult terrain continue to complicate rapid pursuit efforts.
Security analysts caution that attacks of this nature reflect both the adaptive tactics of armed groups and persistent challenges in rural protection. These include limited permanent security presence, long response times and the ability of fighters to cross administrative boundaries with relative ease. Analysts also note that while Lakurawa is sometimes broadly used to describe armed bandits, the composition, leadership and objectives of such groups can vary, complicating clear attribution.
Humanitarian volunteers in the region said that outreach to survivors would focus on immediate needs, including food, shelter and basic medical care. Some volunteers are reporting shortages of supplies and appeal for government and civil society intervention to support displaced families.
Local residents have called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Army, the Police and other relevant agencies to intensify patrols, establish forward operating posts near vulnerable communities and engage in community vigilance partnerships to mitigate future attacks.
As of this report, confirmation of verified casualty figures, official government statements and detailed assessments from security agencies have not been published. The situation remains fluid, and authorities continue to monitor developments while prioritising rescue, recovery and stabilization operations in the affected areas.
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