At least 15 residents of Kwallajiya village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State were killed in a brutal attack by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group on Wednesday afternoon. The assault, which left several others injured, has heightened fears of escalating violence in Nigeria’s northwest, where the extremist group has intensified its operations.
The gunmen, believed to be led by a notorious bandit known as Charambe, stormed the village in the early hours, opening fire on unsuspecting residents. Armed with sophisticated weaponry, the attackers shot sporadically, targeting civilians and causing widespread panic.
The victims were buried that evening in accordance with Islamic rites, as confirmed by Isa Bashir Kalanjeni, the Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Council, who led a delegation to the village for the mass burial.
Community members expressed deep concern over the persistent violence, alleging that some locals may be collaborating with the terrorists, providing insider information that facilitates such attacks.
“We believe these attacks are sometimes facilitated by insider information. It is crucial for residents to work closely with security forces,” a local source stated.
Efforts to reach the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters and the Sokoto Police Command for official comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The attack is believed to be a reprisal for the recent killing of three Lakurawa members. The group, suspected to have ties to extremist factions, has been terrorizing Sokoto and neighboring Kebbi States, targeting agrarian communities during the farming season.
This incident follows a series of violent assaults by the group, including an explosion in Gwabro village on June 9 that killed six people and injured three others, and an ambush in Hurumi Forest on May 5 that claimed 13 hunters.
The Lakurawa group, which emerged in the late 2010s as herdsmen offering protection to locals against bandits, has since turned to extremism, attempting to impose Islamic law and engaging in kidnappings, extortion, and targeted killings.
Security analysts warn that their growing use of improvised explosive devices and advanced weaponry poses a significant threat, potentially surpassing other extremist groups if left unchecked.
“The behaviour at which the Lakurawa is operating is going to be more dangerous for Nigeria,” a security expert noted.
In response, troops from Operation Fansan Yanma, alongside police tactical teams and community guards, have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, combing bush paths and border routes between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
The Nigerian Army’s 8 Division has claimed progress in dismantling Lakurawa camps in Sokoto and Kebbi, but the latest attack underscores the challenges in curbing the group’s influence.
The assault has reignited calls for stronger counterterrorism measures and community cooperation to address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty and lack of basic amenities, which make rural areas vulnerable to extremist recruitment. Residents of Kwallajiya and surrounding communities are living in fear, with many urging security agencies to bolster their presence to prevent further bloodshed.
Nigeria grapples with this emerging threat, the Lakurawa’s reign of terror continues to disrupt lives, displace families, and threaten food security in the region.
The federal and state governments face mounting pressure to devise effective strategies to neutralize the group and restore peace to Sokoto’s border communities.
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