No fewer than 34 fasting Muslims were reportedly killed when suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on several villages in Kebbi State.
According to the police, the assailants, identified as members of the Lakurawa group, stormed communities in the Bui district of Arewa Local Government Area at about 1:15pm, unleashing gunfire on residents and razing property.
The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident on Thursday, saying the attackers struck multiple villages, including Mamunu, Awasaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Gorun Naidal and Dan Mai Ago.
A security report made available to journalists indicated that more than 30 villagers lost their lives in the onslaught.
Usman stated that many of the casualties occurred as residents attempted to defend their communities.
“Scores of people were killed as residents mobilised to resist the attackers,” he said, adding that security operatives, including police officers, soldiers and local vigilantes, were promptly deployed to the affected areas.
A resident of Kanzo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the community was caught off guard.
“We were inside our houses when we started hearing gunshots. People ran for safety, but some were hit by bullets,” he recounted.
The police spokesman further disclosed that the attackers carted away an unspecified number of cattle during the raids.
The latest violence occurred days after Kebbi hosted the UNESCO-recognised Argungu Fishing Festival, held about 60 kilometres from the troubled Arewa axis.
The Lakurawa group has been linked to a series of attacks across northern Kebbi and neighbouring Sokoto State, where gunmen are known to operate from forest hideouts, rustle livestock and impose levies on rural dwellers.
Although some security analysts have associated the group with the Islamic State Sahel Province operating in parts of Niger and Mali, others have expressed reservations about the alleged connection.