Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The sacred silence of Friday prayers at the Izalah Central Mosque in Kaya village, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was shattered on August 14, 2026, when suspected Lakurawa fighters stormed the community, killed two residents, took over the mosque, and led the Jumu'ah prayers themselves while terrified worshippers remained locked indoors. For nearly seven hours, the armed group held the community captive, moving from house to house, stealing cattle, looting shops and Point-of-Sale outlets, and dictating who could leave their homes, according to a resident who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity.
The attackers reportedly arrived in the village around 11 a.m. on Friday, riding motorcycles and heavily armed. They immediately began a systematic operation, forcing residents to remain inside their homes while they moved through the community, stealing cattle and other valuables. When it was time for the Jumu'ah prayers, the fighters went to the Izalah Central Mosque, made the call to prayer, and led the prayers themselves, while most residents stayed indoors, paralyzed by fear. One resident, who spoke to our correspondent, recounted the horror of the moment: "They came around 11am and stayed for almost seven hours. They forced everyone to stay indoors. When it was time for Jumu'ah, they went to the mosque, called the adhan, and led the prayers. Most of us stayed in our homes because we were terrified."
The attackers, who are believed to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group, also looted shops and POS outlets, taking away goods and large sums of money before leaving the community around 5 p.m. The attack on Kaya village is the latest in a series of deadly assaults by the Lakurawa group, which has been terrorising communities across Sokoto State and the North-West region. Just days earlier, on August 14, over 300 suspected Lakurawa fighters on motorcycles invaded Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area, killing at least four soldiers in a prolonged gun battle before raiding parts of the town and looting shops. In a separate attack on the same day, the group stormed Ungushi community in Kebbe LGA, killing at least 32 people, including the Chief Imam of the Ungushi Izala Jumu'at Mosque, Alhaji Aliyu. The attack on Ungushi, which began during Friday prayers and continued into Saturday, saw the attackers return multiple times to kill more residents and loot their belongings.
The occupation of Kaya village for seven hours, the takeover of the mosque, and the brazen theft of cattle and cash have raised urgent questions about the capacity of security forces to protect vulnerable communities. The Lakurawa group, which emerged in northwestern Nigeria between 2016 and 2018 as a community self-defence force, has since transformed into a violent extremist network, establishing camps, recruiting young people, imposing its own interpretation of Islamic law, and engaging in violence. The group has been linked to a series of attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling operations that have displaced thousands and crippled local economies. The attack on Kaya village, where the fighters led the Friday prayers themselves, marks a new low in the group's campaign of terror, demonstrating a willingness to usurp the role of religious leaders and institutions.
The Sokoto State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement on the Kaya village attack, but security forces have been conducting operations against Lakurawa and other armed groups across Sokoto, Kebbi and other parts of the North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA. On Sunday, August 16, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, the General Officer Commanding the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, visited Kebbe Local Government Area to assess the security situation and reassure residents of the army's commitment to protecting them. Koughna assured residents that the Nigerian Army had adjusted its security architecture to prevent further infiltration by terrorists and protect vulnerable communities. "Troops remain fully deployed, highly alert and operationally focused on protecting lives and property," he declared.
However, for the residents of Kaya village and countless other communities across Sokoto State, the promise of security rings hollow. The attack on Kaya village, where an armed group was able to occupy a community for hours, dictate who could leave their homes, take over a mosque and rob businesses at will, is a stark reminder of the complete breakdown of security in the region. As one resident put it, "How long can communities be left this exposed before someone answers for this complete breakdown of security?" The question now is whether the government and security agencies will take decisive action to end the cycle of violence, or whether the people of Sokoto will continue to live in fear of the next attack.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments