15 Killed As Lakurawa Terrorists Target Kwalajiya Village In Sokoto.
A devastating attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists has claimed the lives of at least 15 people in Kwalajiya village, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria. The assault, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, saw gunmen open fire on worshippers and farmers, plunging the rural community into grief and fear. Several others were injured in the brutal attack, which locals believe was a reprisal strike by the notorious bandit group operating near the Nigeria-Niger border.
The gunmen stormed the village in broad daylight, targeting unsuspecting residents as they went about their daily routines. According to local sources, the attackers fired indiscriminately, leaving a trail of devastation in the quiet farming community, located just 28 kilometres from the Niger border. The victims, who included worshippers and farmers, were buried that evening in accordance with Islamic rites, as the village mourned its profound loss.
Sokoto State Police Command has yet to release an official statement, with efforts to contact spokespersons proving unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, a resident of Kwalajiya, speaking anonymously to local media, confirmed the involvement of the Lakurawa group, known for their violent raids across Sokoto and neighbouring Kebbi states. The group has increasingly targeted agrarian communities, exacerbating fears of food insecurity and displacement in the region.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents attributed to Lakurawa bandits in Tangaza, with previous assaults reported in nearby villages like Baidi and Sabiyo. Security forces, including troops from Operation Fansan Yanma and local police, have launched operations to track down the perpetrators, focusing on bush paths and border routes. Despite these efforts, the persistent threat of banditry continues to haunt Sokoto’s border communities, with calls growing for stronger counter-insurgency measures.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing security challenges in northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups exploit remote areas to carry out deadly attacks. The people of Kwalajiya, now reeling from loss, join countless others in the region pleading for lasting solutions to restore peace and safety to their communities.
