Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Kill Six Worshippers in Reprisal Attack on Kebbi Mosque

 In a shocking incident that has further heightened fears over escalating insecurity in Nigeria's North-West region, suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group attacked a mosque in Dadinkowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on Wednesday evening, killing at least six worshippers and injuring three others.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque while congregants were observing evening prayers, opening fire indiscriminately on the defenceless worshippers. Security authorities have described the assault as a reprisal attack following an earlier failed ambush by the group on a military convoy belonging to troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.

According to the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the attackers targeted the mosque in retaliation after their attempt to ambush the convoy of a General Officer Commanding (GOC) was thwarted in a forested area near Mayama Hill. The military engagement reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the terrorists, prompting the vengeful strike on civilians.

Local sources confirmed that the victims succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the unprovoked attack. The injured persons were promptly evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

This latest tragedy comes amid a surge in activities by the Lakurawa group, a relatively new Islamist militant organisation operating primarily in Kebbi and Sokoto states, with alleged links to Sahelian terror networks. Just days earlier, the group was blamed for coordinated raids on multiple villages in Kebbi's Arewa Local Government Area, where at least 34 people, including many youths, were killed.

The repeated targeting of innocent civilians, including during sacred prayer times in the holy month of Ramadan, has drawn widespread condemnation. Former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad described the attacks as "deeply troubling" and called for urgent action to halt the violence.

Security analysts note that Lakurawa's emergence has contributed to the worsening banditry and insurgency in the North-West, overwhelming local defences in remote communities.

Authorities have assured residents that efforts are underway to apprehend the perpetrators and restore peace. However, community leaders continue to urge for enhanced military presence and intelligence sharing to prevent further reprisals against civilians.

The incident underscores the persistent challenge of terrorism in the region and the urgent need for sustained counter-insurgency operations to protect vulnerable populations.