Five Killed as Suspected Lakurawa Bandits Attack Sokoto Community

At least five people have been killed following an attack by suspected Lakurawa bandits on Maganho community in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The assault, which occurred around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, has heightened fears among residents of border communities already grappling with persistent insecurity in parts of the state.

A local government official who confirmed the incident said the attackers stormed the village on motorcycles, firing sporadically as residents fled for safety. In addition to the fatalities, several others sustained injuries, while a large number of livestock were reportedly rustled.

“The bandits stormed the community at about 1 pm, riding motorcycles and firing sporadically, resulting in the killing of the victims and the injury of others,” the official said. “This attack is not the first time they have come here to attack our people. Our local government has now become a target of the Lakurawa bandits and other terrorist activities, making daily life difficult for residents.”

Residents described scenes of panic as gunmen moved through the farming community, which is located near Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic. Many families rely on agriculture and livestock for survival, making cattle rustling a devastating economic blow in addition to the loss of lives.

The victims were later buried in accordance with Islamic rites, as community members offered prayers for their repose and called on authorities to strengthen security in the area.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, a senior police officer who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly confirmed the attack and said an investigation had commenced.

The Lakurawa bandits have emerged as one of the most persistent armed groups operating in parts of Sokoto State, particularly in border local government areas such as Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Sabon Birni and sections of Binji. The group is known for launching coordinated raids on rural settlements, often arriving on motorcycles and targeting communities with limited security presence.

Over the past year, residents and local authorities have accused the group of carrying out killings, mass abductions, arson, cattle rustling and the imposition of illegal levies on farmers.

In December 2025, insecurity in Sokoto drew international attention when the United States Africa Command conducted airstrikes on suspected terrorist camps in the state. The strikes, carried out on Christmas Day in coordination with Nigerian authorities, were aimed at disrupting armed groups operating in the North-West, including factions linked to cross-border banditry and terrorism.

Despite repeated military offensives by Nigerian security forces and the US-backed operations, attacks on rural communities have persisted, raising concerns about the resilience and mobility of armed groups in the region.

Community leaders in Tangaza have renewed calls for the urgent deployment of additional security personnel and improved surveillance along border corridors. They argue that without sustained security presence and intelligence-driven operations, vulnerable communities will remain exposed to further attacks.

As investigations continue, residents say their immediate priority is safety and protection, hoping that authorities will act decisively to prevent further bloodshed in the troubled area.