Armed militants suspected to be members of the Lakurawa group have attacked Girkau community in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing a police officer and two civilians while injuring several others. The attackers also rustled an unspecified number of cattle and set two security vehicles ablaze during the raid.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that officers responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from the community. Police spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, said security personnel engaged the attackers in a gun battle and successfully forced them to retreat.
Despite repelling the assailants, the command confirmed the death of one police officer during the exchange of gunfire. The attackers also destroyed a Nigeria Police Force patrol vehicle and another belonging to the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps before fleeing the area.
Residents described the invasion as terrifying, saying heavily armed gunmen stormed the community and opened fire indiscriminately, causing widespread panic. Many villagers reportedly fled into nearby bushes to escape the violence.
Among those killed were a police officer identified as Hussaini Manyu, an elderly resident, Bala Wakili, and a young herder who was allegedly shot after refusing to surrender his cattle to the attackers.
Community members also disclosed that a farmer sustained gunshot wounds while working on his farmland and is currently receiving medical treatment. Another resident alleged that a married woman was assaulted after resisting an attempted sexual attack during the invasion.
A local community leader described the incident as one of the deadliest attacks the area has experienced in recent months, lamenting the growing insecurity affecting rural communities.
Another resident revealed that locals had repeatedly alerted security agencies about suspicious movements around the community before the attack but feared their warnings were not addressed in time.
Following the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command assured residents that security operations had been intensified across the affected area to prevent further attacks. The command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property.
Meanwhile, residents have appealed to both the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security presence in Kebbe Local Government Area and surrounding communities to curb recurring attacks by armed groups.