A newly active terror group, known as Lakurawa, struck Mera town in Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area on Friday, killing at least 15 people and stealing around 100 cattle.
This group, which operates across Sokoto and Kebbi States, launched the attack just as residents were gathering for their Friday Jumaat prayers.
Alhaji Bashir Mera, a local resident, confirmed the incident, explaining that the townspeople mobilized hundreds of locals to chase the attackers into the bush in an attempt to recover their cattle.
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This led to an intense gunfight, which ultimately resulted in the tragic deaths of fifteen civilians and two members of the Lakurawa group.
According to another resident, identified only as Yarima, the Lakurawa group has primarily been based in Sokoto State and had previously avoided killing, focusing instead on confiscating cattle under the pretense of collecting Zakat—a form of mandatory charity in Islam. Yarima noted, “For almost two months, they merely took cattle, but this recent attack marked the first time they resorted to violence.”
Reacting to the attack, Kebbi State’s governor swiftly responded by deploying heavily armed soldiers, gun trucks, and armored vehicles to the area to restore calm.
High-ranking officials, including the commanding officer of the Dukku military barracks, the Director of State Security Services (DSS), and the Commissioner of Police, arrived to support local efforts and reinforce security.
In a show of solidarity, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, accompanied by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, visited Mera town to offer condolences and reassure the community of the government’s commitment to their safety.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the administration is fully committed to protecting residents and preventing future attacks.
In a related development, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, recently confirmed that the Nigerian military is closely monitoring this new group. The Lakurawa group, reportedly linked to extremist factions from Mali and Niger, is believed to have emerged due to political instability in these neighboring countries, which has facilitated the spread of radical elements into Nigeria’s northwestern region.
General Buba assured the public that the military is actively developing strategies to counter and neutralize these threats.
