Suspected Lakurawa terrorists attack Mosque, kill six worshippers in Kebbi

Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have attacked a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing six worshippers and injuring three others in what authorities described as a reprisal assault.

Local sources said the gunmen stormed the mosque on Wednesday evening while worshippers were observing prayers and opened fire indiscriminately.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kebbi State, Bashir Usman, said the attack was carried out in retaliation for an earlier confrontation with troops of the Nigerian Army.

“The attack was a reprisal by suspected Lakurawa terrorist elements following a failed ambush on troops attached to the 8 Division,” he said.

Usman explained that the chain of events began on February 24 when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, and Commander, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgha Koughna, came under attack while travelling to visit frontline troops deployed in the state.

The GOC’s convoy, while navigating forested terrain near Maiyama Hill, came under heavy gunfire from armed terrorists believed to be members of the Lakurawa group.

“Troops responded with superior firepower, engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel and neutralised five of them, thereby foiling the ambush,” Usman said.

He added that five worshippers died from gunshot wounds sustained during the mosque attack, while three others suffered varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

However, local sources said six victims were brought out for burial during funeral prayers, confirming that six people lost their lives in the attack and were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

The incident has heightened concerns over security in parts of Kebbi State, particularly in rural communities vulnerable to reprisals by armed groups.