A newly active armed terror group operating in Sokoto and Kebbi States, known as Lakurawa, attacked Mera town in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Friday, killing at least fifteen people.
According to Alhaji Bashir Mera, a local source who confirmed the attack, the group struck as residents were preparing for Jumaat prayers on Friday afternoon, making off with at least one hundred cattle.
“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.”
Another resident identified simply as Yarima, added that the group is based in Sokoto, from where it coordinates its attacks.
He explained that initially, “They did not kill anyone but only confiscated cattle, demanding Zakat, the obligatory Muslim charity from wealth meeting the threshold. This had been happening for almost two months.
“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.”
“The commanding officer of Dukku barracks, the DSS director, the Commissioner of Police, and combined security forces have since mobilised to the scene and restored calm,” Yarima reported.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, visited the town to offer condolences to the families of the deceased and reassure the people of their safety.
The deputy governor affirmed that the governor is gravely concerned by the attack and has pledged to ensure the people’s protection against further threats from the armed group.
Efforts to reach the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable at the time of this report.
It is worth recalling that the Nigerian Army recently confirmed that troops are actively monitoring the presence of a new terror group operating in some areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States.
A statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, revealed that the Nigerian military has identified this new terror group, reportedly affiliated with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger, heightening security concerns in Nigeria’s northwestern region.
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.”
He added that the military is closely monitoring the group’s activities and is developing counter-strategies.
