Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Burn Down Villages In Kebbi

Terrorists suspected to be members of the Lakurawa group have reportedly attacked settlements along the Niger–Kebbi border near the Benin Republic, setting homes and shops ablaze and taking possession of residents’ properties and food supplies. Suspected terrorists were seen raiding a village, setting shops and residential buildings on fire as residents’ properties and food supplies were reportedly taken over by members of the group. Several of the armed men were seen moving around the affected community on motorcycles, with AK-47 rifles slung over their shoulders, as they appeared to roam the settlement amid the destruction. The footage showed the suspected terrorists moving through the village while fires engulfed buildings, raising fresh concerns about the security of rural communities around the border region. The reported attacks have heightened concerns over the safety of residents in remote settlements, where armed groups have been accused of terrorising communities, destroying livelihoods and forcing people to abandon their homes. The reported violence in Kebbi comes amid another incident in Zamfara State, where armed bandits have reportedly imposed a ₦50 million levy on communities in the Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area after attacking three villages and burning 12 vehicles. The attacks reportedly forced residents to flee their homes as the affected communities faced the threat of further violence and the demand for the huge payment. A security expert, Bakatsine, confirmed the development on Monday, raising concerns about the burden the alleged levy would place on already vulnerable residents struggling with insecurity and displacement. In a statement questioning the demand, Bakatsine asked: “How are already vulnerable communities expected to raise such an amount under these conditions?” The reported ₦50million demand highlights the growing pressure on rural communities affected by banditry, with residents facing the destruction of property, displacement, and demands for large sums of money.