Burial Begins For 16 Killed in Lakurawa Attack in Kebbi
The 16 vigilantes were ambushed and killed while attempting to stop a cattle rustling operation by the Lakurawa terrorist group in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria.
No fewer than 16 members of a local vigilante group were killed in an attack by Lakurawa terrorists on Sunday, April 6, in Morai, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. The Police confirmed the attack.
“The attackers, who arrived in large numbers, rustled an unspecified number of cattle and engaged in a deadly confrontation with community members,” Nafiu Abubakar, spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, said in a statement.
Local media reports said that the vigilantes had received a tip-off and moved to intercept the terrorists after spotting them with rustled cattle, hoping to recover the livestock and repel the attack. However, the terrorists had already encircled the area, resulting in a devastating ambush.
So far, six bodies have been recovered and buried according to Islamic rites, while the search for the remaining victim continues.
Although this is not the first attack by the terror group, this assault underscores the escalating threat posed by the Lakurawa in northwestern Nigeria. In January, the group killed two police officers and rustled an unknown number of cattle. Earlier, in Nov. 2024, they launched an attack on Mera, another community in Kebbi State.
Security experts have consistently called on the Nigerian government to enhance intelligence gathering, strengthen community engagement, and enhance the capacity of local security forces to counter terror groups like Lakurawa effectively.
Initially claiming to be a self-defence force against banditry, the Lakurawa have since evolved into a more radical and oppressive faction. Operating mainly in Sokoto and Kebbi states, the group is suspected to have links with extremist organisations, including alleged affiliations with the Islamic State.
The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents and local authorities about the group’s expanding influence and the limited effectiveness of current security measures. Vigilante groups, often the first line of defence in these communities, find themselves increasingly outmatched by the terrorists’ superior coordination and firepower.
Efforts to combat the Lakurawa threat remain ongoing. However, the group’s continued attacks highlight the need for a more comprehensive strategy to address the underlying issues fuelling their growth.
The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, has announced the deployment of additional tactical teams, comprising personnel from the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilantes, to secure the affected areas.
Sixteen vigilante members were killed by Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State, Nigeria, on April 6. The attackers, arriving in large numbers, stole cattle and ambushed the vigilantes who were attempting to intercept them.
The incident highlights the growing threat of the Lakurawa group in northwestern Nigeria, known for prior assaults, including killing police officers and rustling cattle. Experts urge the Nigerian government to bolster intelligence, community engagement, and local security forces to counteract this threat effectively.
Originally a self-defense faction, the Lakurawa have become more radicalized, suspected of links to extremist groups like the Islamic State. This incident underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the issues enabling the group's rise. In response, additional security forces have been deployed to the area.
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