Lakurawa terrorists kill five in reprisal attack on Kebbi mosque

Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have killed five worshippers and injured three others in an attack on a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, police have confirmed.

The incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday during Taraweeh prayers, according to the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman.

The attackers stormed the mosque while congregants were at evening prayers and opened fire on the worshippers. Five worshippers died from gunshot wounds sustained in the attack, while three others suffered varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Usman said the attack was “a reprisal by suspected Lakurawa terrorist elements following a failed ambush on troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 8 Division”.

The chain of events began on February 24, when the GOC, 8 Division, and Commander, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Bemgha Koughna, came under attack while on his way to visit frontline troops deployed in the state. The GOC’s convoy, while navigating the forested terrain near Mayama Hill, came under heavy gunfire from armed terrorists believed to be members of Lakurawa group.

During that confrontation, troops successfully repelled the ambush and neutralized five terrorists, recovering weapons and cash. The mosque attack appears to have been carried out in retaliation for that military success.

Usman said the attackers fled into the bush before security operatives arrived at the scene. He added that police personnel, in collaboration with the military and local vigilante groups, were immediately deployed to the area to restore calm and maintain public order.

The latest incident comes barely a week after suspected Lakurawa fighters allegedly carried out attacks in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where dozens of residents were killed.

The Lakurawa group has been blamed for numerous deadly attacks on communities in northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Kebbi and Sokoto states, where they stage raids from forest bases, rustle livestock, and impose illegal taxes on local populations.

The attack on worshippers during Ramadan prayers has sparked outrage and renewed calls for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable communities from terrorist reprisals.