A newly emerged terror group known as Lakurawa has struck Mera town in Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area, leaving at least fifteen people dead.
The group, which has been active across Sokoto and Kebbi states, launched its latest assault on Friday as residents were preparing for Jumaat prayers.
Local source Bashir Mera confirmed the attack, reporting that the group stole around one hundred cattle during the raid.
He recounted, “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.”
Yarima, another resident of Mera, shared that Lakurawa had previously been based in Sokoto, where it coordinated similar cattle thefts. “They did not kill anyone but only confiscated cattle, demanding Zakat, the obligatory Muslim charity from wealth meeting the threshold,” Yarima explained. “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.”
He added that the commanding officer of Dukku barracks, along with the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commissioner of Police, and combined security forces, arrived at the scene to restore order.
In response to the tragedy, Kebbi State’s Deputy Governor and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, visited Mera town to offer condolences and reassure families of their safety.
The deputy governor emphasized that the governor is deeply troubled by the attack and is committed to ensuring protection for residents against future threats from Lakurawa.
Efforts to reach the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, for comments were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army recently acknowledged that troops are on alert regarding this new terror group’s activities across Sokoto and Kebbi states. According to a statement by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the military has been closely observing this group, believed to be associated with jihadi factions from Mali and Niger, raising security concerns in northwestern Nigeria.
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,” adding that the military is preparing countermeasures.
|SituationReport|
