Gunmen Kill 35 in Coordinated Attacks on Kebbi Communities

At least 35 people have been killed after gunmen carried out coordinated attacks on eight communities in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The assault, blamed on the Lakurawa group, struck Masama, Mamunu, Kamzo, Awashaka, Tungar Bature, Dan Mai Rago, Tungar Tsoho and Gorin Dena on Wednesday.

Residents said the attackers opened fire without warning. A villager in Kamzo told reporters that people were inside their homes when gunshots rang out, triggering panic as residents ran for cover. Several were hit while trying to escape.

Another resident, Aminu Garba, said many families have fled the area, fearing further violence. Although security personnel have since been deployed, displaced residents remain hesitant to return.

A farmer, Umar Mai Gaskiya, described hearing gunfire from multiple directions during what he called a morning attack. He said he fled into nearby bushland and later discovered the scale of the casualties.

Police confirmed that the attackers struck villages in the Bui area of Arewa LGA at about 1:15 p.m. The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman, said residents from several affected communities mobilised to resist the attackers, resulting in “scores” of deaths. He added that the gunmen also rustled cattle.

According to police, officers, soldiers and local vigilante groups were deployed to restore order and prevent further attacks.

Renewed Violence

Security analyst Usman Aliyu suggested the attack may have been intended to demonstrate the group’s continued presence in the state. He noted that joint security operations had killed dozens of suspected bandits and Lakurawa members in recent months, reducing visible activity in parts of Kebbi North and South.

Arewa LGA has experienced similar violence in the past. In 2025, gunmen reportedly burned 15 communities during a night raid, killing more than 26 people. In another incident, 15 vigilante members were ambushed while attempting to defend their communities.

Following Wednesday’s attack, Governor Nasir Idris convened an emergency security meeting at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi. No official statement was issued after the meeting.

The latest violence comes days after Kebbi hosted the UNESCO-listed Argungu Fishing Festival, held about 60 kilometres from Arewa LGA.

Wider Security Concerns

The Lakurawa group has been linked to repeated attacks in northern Kebbi and neighbouring Sokoto State. The group is accused of operating from forest bases, rustling livestock and imposing levies on rural communities.

Some researchers have suggested possible ties between Lakurawa and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, though this remains disputed.

The violence adds to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West. The federal government has sought international technical and training support to strengthen counterterrorism efforts, with the United States Africa Command indicating that around 200 troops could be involved in broader regional deployments.