Lakurawa terrorists kill police inspector, 11 civilians in Nigeria’s Kebbi

By Kabir Adeniyi

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Lakurawa terrorists have killed a police inspector and 11 civilians in attacks on two villages in northwestern Nigeria’s Kebbi State, police said.

The attackers struck Wawilaiyi and Kystu villages in Koko-Besse Local Government Area, setting houses ablaze and looting food supplies from shops, according to Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson Bashir Usman.

Usman confirmed the killings to journalists late Thursday, saying the police inspector died during an exchange of gunfire with the attackers. He said the officer’s identity had not yet been established as investigations continued.

The attacks forced residents to flee their homes in search of safety, while police and other security agencies cordoned off the affected areas and launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, he said.

The latest violence comes amid a wider security crisis in parts of Kebbi, where tensions and reprisals have also displaced residents.

Police had earlier reported that three people were killed and a police inspector was injured during an attack on Fulani traders at Samanaji Market on Oct. 22. The command said the incident was followed by reprisal attacks in neighboring communities.

In a subsequent account, the police said Lakurawa terrorists attacked communities along the Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi axis between Oct. 26 and 29, reporting 12 deaths during that period.

The Lakurawa group, also referred to by Nigerian authorities as Mamudawa, has been linked to attacks in parts of northwestern Nigeria, particularly in communities near the country's borders.