Jihadist fighters have killed dozens of people and destroyed seven villages in Kebbi State, the police told AFP on Thursday.
Members of the Lakurawa group attacked villages in the Bui district of Arewa northern region at around 1:15 p.m. (1215 GMT) on Wednesday, according to Kebbi State police spokesman Bashir Usman. A security report seen by AFP indicated that the attackers had killed “more than 30 villagers.”
Usman said, “Scores of people were killed as residents from Mamunu, Awasaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Gorun Naidal, and Dan Mai Ago mobilised to resist the attackers.” A resident in Kanzo told AFP that at least 35 people had died, describing how gunshots rang out while villagers attempted to take shelter.
The attackers also stole cattle during the raids. Police, soldiers, and local militia were immediately deployed to the area to contain the situation.
The attacks came just days after Argungu Fishing Festival, held approximately 60 kilometres from the affected region. The Lakurawa group has been blamed for numerous attacks in northern Kebbi and neighbouring Sokoto State, often staging raids from forest bases, rustling livestock, and imposing illegal “taxes” on locals.
Some researchers have linked the group to the Islamic State Sahel Province, active mainly in Niger and Mali, although others remain doubtful. The group’s activities have worsened Nigeria’s security challenges, which include a more than 16-year jihadist insurgency in the northeast, farmer-herder conflicts in the north central region, violent secessionist agitations in the southeast, and widespread kidnappings for ransom in the northwest.
Nigeria is now seeking technical and training support from the United States to combat the resurgence of jihadist violence, with US Africa Command announcing that 200 troops are expected to join the deployment.
While Donald Trump described the violence as “persecution” of Christians, Nigeria’s government and independent experts emphasise that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of the country’s ongoing security crises.
