New Terror Group Lakurawa Claims Lives, Escapes with Livestock In Kebbi

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

A recent terror group called Lakurawa has unleashed a brutal raid on Mera, a quiet town in Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area.

The Friday afternoon attack, which took place as residents prepared for Jumaat prayers, left at least 15 people dead and cast a wave of fear across the region.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to the media said that the group stormed Mera, heavily armed and demanding livestock from the residents.

Alhaji Bashir Mera, a local leader, said that the community quickly mobilised to recover their stolen cattle, which led to a fierce shootout in the bush. In the ensuing chaos, fifteen townspeople lost their lives, along with two members of the Lakurawa group.

This violent raid is the first instance of bloodshed associated with Lakurawa, a group that had previously limited its actions to demanding cattle from communities in exchange for what they called “zakat” – a religious tithe typically offered as an act of charity.

Locals had assumed the group’s operations were a minor threat, with no signs of violence until now.

“This is unlike anything we’ve seen,” said Yarima, a resident of Mera. “They usually came, took cattle, and left. This time, they were ruthless. They arrived with the intent to kill.”

The sudden escalation prompted immediate action from Kebbi State authorities. Governor Nasir Idris, upon learning of the attack, ordered the swift deployment of soldiers and security operatives, including armoured vehicles, to restore calm and protect the area.

“The governor called personally to check on us and deployed all available resources to Mera,” Alhaji Bashir confirmed.

High-ranking officials, including Kebbi’s Deputy Governor and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, quickly arrived in the town to offer condolences and assure residents that their security was now a priority.

The Deputy Governor conveyed the governor’s determination to protect every resident from future attacks and pledged that the authorities would pursue Lakurawa relentlessly until peace was restored.

Authorities suspect that the Lakurawa group is operating from neighbouring Sokoto State and that its violent activities may be linked to recent regional instability in West Africa.

Security experts have raised concerns about the spread of extremist elements from Mali and Niger into Nigeria’s northwestern states, warning that political upheaval in these countries could be fostering new terrorist factions.

The Nigerian military has expressed growing concern over the situation. Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed that troops are closely monitoring the new group, which intelligence sources link to international jihadist networks in Mali and Niger. “We believe that recent unrest in Mali and Niger has facilitated the spread of violent groups into Nigeria,” said Buba. “Our forces are actively developing strategies to counter these new threats and are working to ensure that communities are protected.”

As Kebbi and neighbouring states adjust to the unsettling presence of Lakurawa, locals remain on high alert. Fear has spread through rural communities as residents grapple with the reality of organised, violent terror groups targeting their lives and livelihoods.

The people of Mera are hopeful that the swift response of both local authorities and national forces will bring a quick resolution, but the memory of Friday’s bloodshed lingers.

Efforts to contact the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command were unsuccessful.