A newly energetic armed terror group working in Sokoto and Kebbi States, referred to as Lakurawa, attacked Mera city within the Augie Native Authorities Space of Kebbi State on Friday, killing a minimum of fifteen individuals.
In accordance with Alhaji Bashir Mera, an area supply who confirmed the assault, the group struck as residents have been getting ready for Jumaat prayers on Friday afternoon, making off with a minimum of 100 cattle.
“Upon receiving the information, the individuals of the city mobilised a whole lot to pursue the group into the bush to recuperate the animals, resulting in an alternate of gunfire between the locals and the group, ensuing within the deaths of fifteen townspeople and two members of the Lakurawa group.”
One other resident recognized merely as Yarima, added that the group relies in Sokoto, from the place it coordinates its assaults.
He defined that originally, “They didn’t kill anybody however solely confiscated cattle, demanding Zakat, the compulsory Muslim charity from wealth assembly the brink. This had been taking place for nearly two months.
“That is the primary assault involving killings in Mera. The governor expressed deep concern, calling me twice when he discovered of the incident, and he shortly deployed armed troopers with gun vans and armoured tanks to safe the city.”
“The commanding officer of Dukku barracks, the DSS director, the Commissioner of Police, and mixed safety forces have since mobilised to the scene and restored calm,” Yarima reported.
In the meantime, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, visited the city to supply condolences to the households of the deceased and reassure the individuals of their security.
The deputy governor affirmed that the governor is gravely involved by the assault and has pledged to make sure the individuals’s safety in opposition to additional threats from the armed group.
Efforts to succeed in the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, have been unsuccessful as his telephone was unreachable on the time of this report.
It’s value recalling that the Nigerian Military just lately confirmed that troops are actively monitoring the presence of a brand new terror group working in some areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States.
An announcement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Main Normal Edward Buba, revealed that the Nigerian navy has recognized this new terror group, reportedly affiliated with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger, heightening safety issues in Nigeria’s northwestern area.
Buba defined, “The emergence of this group is linked to political instability in Mali and Niger, which has facilitated the unfold of extremist parts into Nigeria.”
He added that the navy is intently monitoring the group’s actions and is creating counter-strategies.