Terror in Kebbi: Lakurawa Militants Kill 13, Burn Down Seven Villages in Ruthless Attack

Terror in Kebbi: Lakurawa Militants Kill 13, Burn Down Seven Villages in Ruthless Attack

Northern Nigeria was once again thrown into mourning on March 9, 2025, as the Lakurawa terrorist group unleashed a deadly attack on Birnin Dede village in the Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The coordinated assault left at least 13 vigilantes dead and seven surrounding villages in ruins, further deepening the region’s security crisis.

Local sources confirmed that the brutal raid was likely in retaliation for the recent killing of the group’s feared leader, Maigemu, by a combined team of security operatives. The Lakurawa militants, known for their brutality and growing influence in parts of northern Nigeria, reportedly stormed Birnin Dede and surrounding communities on motorbikes, opening fire and setting homes ablaze. Only one village was spared from the carnage—reportedly due to a military presence stationed there. According to Malam Umar, a distressed resident, "We seek protection from Allah against this dreaded group."

The Lakurawa group initially emerged around 2016 to 2018 as a self-proclaimed vigilante faction formed to combat local banditry. However, over time, it evolved into a radical terror group, imposing strict religious laws and aligning with violent extremist networks operating in the Sahel region. With growing connections to groups in Mali and Niger, Lakurawa has expanded its reach across Sokoto and Kebbi states, carrying out attacks, enforcing militant ideologies, and displacing countless families.

In response to this recent massacre, Kebbi State authorities have called for the urgent deployment of more soldiers to the area. The state government is under increasing pressure to protect vulnerable rural communities who live in constant fear of armed incursions. However, communication from the Kebbi State Police Command remains limited, as their spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.

The tragic events in Birnin Dede underscore a deeper problem in Nigeria’s northern regions: the spread of radical ideologies, weak border security, and underfunded rural protection forces. While security forces have made gains in decapitating some of these terror groups by eliminating their leaders, the danger remains far from over. Communities across the north continue to plead for protection, with many relying on vigilante groups for defense due to the absence of sufficient government security. But as seen in this latest attack, even these local defenders are vulnerable against well-armed insurgents.

As Nigeria grapples with multiple security flashpoints, the attack by the Lakurawa terrorists is a grim reminder of the urgent need for sustained military intervention, grassroots intelligence support, and long-term strategies to address the root causes of radicalization. The people of Birnin Dede—and indeed all of Kebbi State—deserve to live without fear. Their safety must be more than a promise; it must be a priority.