15 Killed in Sokoto Village as Suspected Lakurawa Militants Launch Deadly Reprisal Attack
At least 15 people have been confirmed dead following a brutal attack on Kwalajiya village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, carried out by suspected members of the notorious Lakurawa group.
The assault took place around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, as residents gathered for afternoon prayers. According to community members, the attack was a retaliation for the recent killing of three Lakurawa members, including a suspected leader, during a failed raid on the same village.
Eyewitnesses say the assailants arrived heavily armed, indiscriminately opening fire on worshippers and farmers, burning homes, shops, and farmlands. They also destroyed the community’s telecommunications mast, plunging the area into a communication blackout.
“This is the first time they’ve attacked us directly,” a local leader stated. “But it’s likely because their men were killed here last week.”
Tensions between the community and the group may have also escalated over recent resistance by local elders to intermarriage, which reportedly infuriated members of the group.
In the wake of the violence, residents have fled en masse to nearby towns such as Gidan Madi. “They spared the women but killed our men and destroyed everything,” a displaced resident recounted.
At least seven others sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment. Security personnel and local authorities attended a mass burial on Wednesday, and the deployment of additional troops has been promised to restore order.
Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufa’i confirmed the incident but noted that the exact death toll is still being verified. Meanwhile, community members are calling on both state and federal governments to restore peace, security, and communication infrastructure to prevent further bloodshed.
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