A newly emerging militant group, Lakurawa, launched a deadly attack on seven villages in northwest Nigeria over the weekend, killing 11 people and injuring two others in retaliation for the death of their commander, police confirmed on Monday.
The militants targeted Birnin Dede and six nearby villages in Kebbi state, near the Niger border, after security forces eliminated a senior Lakurawa commander, said state police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar. The attackers set fire to the villages during the assault.
While northwest and central Nigeria have long been plagued by criminal gangs engaging in violent raids, kidnappings, and looting for economic gains, the recent arrival of militant groups like Lakurawa has intensified regional instability.
Last Thursday, security forces stationed in the area killed Maigemu, a key Lakurawa commander, days after the group had murdered six civilians in attacks on two communities. Abubakar stated that Sunday’s assault appeared to be a direct reprisal for Maigemu’s death.
The Lakurawa group, reportedly composed of militants from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has established a base in Kebbi’s Tsauni forest, from where they orchestrate attacks, steal livestock, and impose taxes on local communities.
Officials say Lakurawa recruits young men in villages by offering financial assistance to help them start small businesses, further expanding their influence in the region.