UPDATE: Lakurawa terrorists kill nine soldiers, policeman in Kebbi ambush

The deadly ambush in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State has claimed the lives of nine soldiers, one police officer, and at least one civilian — with Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris officially confirming the toll on Wednesday after visiting survivors at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Birnin Kebbi, where the remains of the fallen security personnel were also deposited.

Authorities in Kebbi State have revealed that the security team was drafted to Giro Masa community following a distress call from residents about a planned attack on their community. “The military personnel had mobilised in response to intelligence indicating that bandits were planning to attack a community in the area, but were unfortunately lured into a deadly ambush laid by the criminals,” said Governor Idris’s spokesperson, Yahaya Sarki.

Several soldiers were also injured in the attack. Governor Idris visited the injured soldiers at the hospital and said the attack had caused great loss. “Those that lost their lives, the government of Kebbi State will do everything to assist the families,” he said. He described the attack as tragic and assured that the state government would cover the medical bills of the injured and provide support to the families of the deceased security personnel.

Governor Idris also promised to replace the two destroyed military gun trucks that were set ablaze during the assault and urged security agencies not to be discouraged by the attack, but to remain resolute, professional and committed to their constitutional responsibility. He also announced plans to travel to Abuja to meet with the Chief of Army Staff to formally convey the condolences of the government and people of Kebbi State over the loss.

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While receiving the governor at Giro Masa village, the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Abdullahi, expressed deep concern over the recurring security challenges in the area. Residents described the ambush as terrifying. “It was chaos. The sound of gunfire and explosions left everyone in shock,” said one resident who requested anonymity.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack, but residents and security officials suspect the Islamic State Sahel Province, known locally as Lakurawa, which has recently become more lethal in Kebbi and Sokoto States along the porous border with the Niger Republic.

The Shanga ambush follows a foiled attack in February 2026 targeting the convoy of the General Officer Commanding of the 8 Division near Mayama Hill, where five terrorists were neutralised. In that same month, the Lakurawa group was accused of killing at least 33 people in coordinated raids on several villages in the Bui District of Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Lakurawa group became more active in Nigeria’s border communities following a 2023 military coup in Niger that fractured relations between Nigeria and Niger, and was the target of a US airstrike carried out in Nigeria in December 2025 in collaboration with the Nigerian military — the first known direct American military action on Nigerian soil.

The Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters had not issued an official statement on the Shanga attack at the time of publication.