Kebbi Attack: 33 Villagers Killed After Confrontation with Lakurawa Militants in Arewa LGA, Police Confirm
Share this:
Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that 33 villagers were killed following violent confrontations with suspected Lakurawa militants in Biu district, Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. According to police authorities, the fatalities occurred after residents reportedly engaged members of the Lakurawa terror group in a confrontation that escalated into deadly violence. The command stated that security operatives have since been deployed to the affected communities to restore order and prevent further attacks. The Lakurawa group, believed to operate along Nigeria’s northwestern border corridors, has been increasingly linked to armed incursions, cattle rustling, and coordinated attacks on rural settlements in parts of Kebbi and neighboring states. Security analysts describe the group as part of a broader network of armed non-state actors exploiting porous borders and weak rural security infrastructure in the Sahel-adjacent region. Local sources told reporters that the confrontation began after villagers attempted to resist suspected incursions into their communities. While community-led resistance efforts have become more common in areas facing recurring attacks, authorities have repeatedly cautioned against direct engagements without coordinated security backing, citing the risks of escalation and reprisal violence. The Kebbi State Police Command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to share actionable intelligence with security agencies rather than resorting to self-defense measures that could worsen tensions. Officials added that investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible and dismantle their operational networks. Kebbi State, located along Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic, has in recent years witnessed intermittent security challenges linked to armed groups operating across transnational routes. The violence in Arewa Local Government Area underscores persistent concerns about rural vulnerability, limited security presence in remote communities, and the growing sophistication of irregular armed actors in northwestern Nigeria. National and regional media outlets have also reported on the incident, highlighting the broader security implications for the region. Among them are Premium Times, Daily Trust, Channels Television, and Punch Newspapers, which have covered developments related to Lakurawa activities and security operations in Kebbi State. As authorities intensify surveillance and response operations, stakeholders continue to call for a multi-layered security approach—combining border management, intelligence-led policing, community engagement, and inter-agency collaboration—to address the evolving threat landscape in Nigeria’s northwest. Sources: Premium Times; Daily Trust; Channels Television; Punch Newspapers.
About The Author
Discover more from Sele Media Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
