Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
At least 34 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks carried out yesterday by suspected Lakurawa militants across multiple communities in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in what local sources describe as one of the deadliest single-day incidents recorded in the area in recent months. The violence unfolded from morning through the afternoon, with gunmen reportedly moving systematically between villages and opening fire on civilians, leaving families devastated and triggering fresh displacement.
Residents said the attackers, believed to have arrived on motorcycles and armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed several settlements in succession, targeting unarmed villagers in what appeared to be a calculated operation. Survivors recounted scenes of panic as gunshots rang out across farmlands and residential clusters, forcing people to flee into surrounding bushes and neighbouring communities in search of safety.
The hardest-hit community was Mamunu, where 16 residents were killed during the assault. Local leaders said the attackers entered the village in broad daylight and fired indiscriminately, leaving bodies in open spaces before advancing to other locations. In Awashaka, five youths were reportedly killed, while Masama recorded three fatalities. Two people each were confirmed dead in Gorin Dena, Kamzo, Dan Mai Rago, Tungar Bature and Tungar Tsoho communities. By nightfall, fear had spread across the wider Kangiwa axis, with residents remaining indoors amid concerns of further incursions.
Community sources indicated that the attackers appeared to have prior knowledge of local movement patterns, striking at times when many villagers were engaged in daily routines. Survivors described the assaults as swift but coordinated, suggesting communication between groups operating across different settlements. In several villages, homes and small structures were reportedly damaged during the raids, though the primary target appeared to be civilians.
The violence has once again underscored the worsening security situation in Kebbi North Senatorial District, where rural communities have increasingly faced threats linked to armed groups operating in the broader northwestern corridor. The term Lakurawa is commonly used in parts of the region to refer to armed bandit factions suspected of involvement in killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling and cross-border raids. While official confirmation of the group responsible for the latest attacks has not been issued, multiple local accounts attribute the violence to militants associated with Lakurawa networks.
Residents expressed frustration over what they described as an inadequate security response, saying that despite repeated warnings of heightened threats, protective deployments in vulnerable communities remain insufficient. Some survivors reported that distress calls were placed during the attacks but that security operatives arrived only after the gunmen had withdrawn into surrounding bushland.
The Arewa Local Government authorities have yet to release an official casualty breakdown, but local leaders and humanitarian volunteers have independently confirmed the 34 deaths. Community representatives have appealed to the Kebbi State Government for urgent intervention, including the establishment of permanent security outposts in affected areas and intensified patrols across rural corridors. They also called for coordinated action between state and federal security agencies to dismantle armed groups operating within and around the district.
Families of the victims began burial preparations in accordance with local customs shortly after the attacks subsided. In several communities, mourning ceremonies were held under heavy anxiety, with residents fearing renewed violence. Displacement has also been reported, as some families have temporarily relocated to perceived safer towns within and beyond Arewa LGA.
Security analysts note that rural parts of Kebbi State share porous borders with neighbouring states and the Niger Republic, factors that complicate surveillance and rapid response. Armed groups are known to exploit forested terrain and informal routes to evade security forces, often striking multiple locations in quick succession before retreating.
The attacks have intensified calls for broader security reforms in the northwest, where banditry and militant activity have persisted despite periodic military offensives. Community leaders argue that beyond reactive deployments, sustained intelligence gathering, local vigilance partnerships and socio-economic interventions are required to curb the cycle of violence.
As investigations continue and security operations are reportedly being reinforced in the affected axis, residents remain on edge. The scale of the casualties and the apparent coordination of the assaults have heightened concerns about the capacity of local communities to withstand further attacks without significant reinforcement. For many in Arewa LGA, the events of yesterday mark another painful chapter in an ongoing struggle for safety and stability.
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