Lakurawa Terrorists Kill 34 in Coordinated Kebbi State Village Attacks
Suspected Lakurawa Islamist militants have carried out a series of deadly attacks in Kebbi State, resulting in the tragic deaths of 34 individuals across multiple rural villages. The coordinated assaults, which occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, have left communities in shock and highlighted the ongoing security challenges in the region.
Details of the Deadly Incidents
According to security reports and survivor accounts, the terrorists launched highly organized and indiscriminate attacks, overwhelming local defenses and forcing residents to flee their homes. The victims were distributed across several villages, with 16 killed in Mamunu, five in Awashaka, three in Masama, and two each in five other villages. The militants swept through these remote border areas, opening fire on households and creating widespread panic.
The attacks followed a pattern similar to previous Lakurawa raids in Kebbi State, where small villages are targeted with simultaneous strikes designed to swamp local defenses and displace residents. This strategy has proven effective in creating chaos and demonstrating the group's operational capabilities.
Security Response and Ongoing Operations
Security forces have moved into the affected areas to protect communities, aid survivors, and cut off the militants' escape routes. Tracking operations are currently underway, although authorities have yet to officially comment on the attacks. The Nigeria Customs Service has confirmed related incidents, including an attack on a Customs outpost in Maje, Bagudo, where an officer was killed and the facility was burned down.
Images of shrouded corpses being prepared for burial have circulated on social media, adding to the emotional toll of these violent events. The attacks come amidst growing concerns about security in the region, following last week's abduction of the Kebbi Deputy Speaker in the same troubled local government area.
Broader Context of Militant Violence
The Lakurawa group, which operates mainly in Kebbi and Sokoto states, represents a new insurgent threat in Nigeria's northwest. Their activities add to the complex security landscape that includes other militant groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in the northeast. Recent reports indicate that ISWAP militants launched a deadly raid on a Nigerian military base in Borno state, killing eight soldiers and injuring 23 others, demonstrating the growing intensity of jihadist violence across multiple regions.
These coordinated attacks underscore the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community protection strategies in vulnerable areas. As security forces work to track down the perpetrators and prevent future incidents, residents remain fearful of further violence and displacement.
