By Muhammad Mamman
At least six worshippers have been killed after suspected members of the Lakurawa armed group attacked a mosque in Nigeria’s northwestern Kebbi State, residents and local authorities said.
The assailants reportedly stormed the mosque during congregational prayers, opening fire on worshippers and triggering panic in the community. Several others were said to have sustained injuries in the attack, which has further heightened fears over the deteriorating security situation in parts of the region.
Local sources described the incident as swift and calculated, with the gunmen arriving on motorcycles before fleeing the scene. Security operatives were later deployed to the area, while community leaders began efforts to calm tensions and prevent reprisals.
Authorities in Kebbi State condemned the attack, vowing to track down those responsible and strengthen security patrols in vulnerable communities. The police have yet to release an official casualty breakdown, but residents insist the death toll stands at six.
The Lakurawa group, believed to operate along Nigeria’s northwestern corridors and border communities, has been linked to a series of violent attacks in recent months. The region has witnessed a surge in armed raids, kidnappings and targeted killings, raising concerns about the expansion of extremist and bandit networks.
Security analysts say attacks on places of worship risk deepening communal anxiety and undermining fragile peace efforts. Community elders have called on the federal government to intensify surveillance and intelligence operations in rural areas where armed groups often exploit limited security presence.
Nigeria’s northwest continues to grapple with overlapping threats from banditry and extremist factions, despite ongoing military operations aimed at restoring stability.
