AUGIE, Nigeria – Suspected members of the Lakurawa terror group have killed at least 13 vigilante members in Morai, a village in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The deadly attack took place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, after the vigilantes, having received intelligence about a potential raid, took positions in the bush, preparing to ambush the attackers.
However, the vigilante plan backfired when they failed to realize that the Lakurawa terrorists had already encircled them.
As they moved to engage the attackers, the assailants opened fire, killing at least 13 of them instantly.
The attack took place just three kilometers away from a nearby village, according to a local resident, Alhaji Augie, who spoke to Channels TV.
The terrorists were reportedly targeting cattle rustling in the region, adding to the insecurity that has been plaguing the North-western states of Nigeria.
The state police spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, could not be reached for comment on the matter, as his phone contact was not connecting on Monday morning.
The Lakurawa terror group, which has been increasingly active in Sokoto and Kebbi States, is said to have infiltrated the region from Niger Republic.
They have worsened the already volatile security situation in the area.
Kebbi Central District Senator, Adamu Aliero, highlighted the growing threat of the Lakurawa group, describing them as a terrorist movement that originated from Mali.
Aliero pointed out that members of this group had been operating freely in the state, armed with sophisticated weapons.
The senator also provided context on the group’s origins, stating that the Lakurawa movement had previously controlled northern Mali and was only recently dislodged by the government of Mali with the help of foreign allies.
As the group began spreading to other parts of the region, including Nigeria, the security situation in Kebbi and Sokoto States became increasingly dire.
