New Terrorist Group Kills 15 in Fresh Attack in Kebbi

Tension has enveloped Mera town in Augie Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State as the new terrorist group known as Lakurawa has attacked the town, killing at least 15 people.

This is just as the air component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has reportedly killed at least 70 ISWAP fighters in air strikes across the southern Lake Chad region.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has revealed that the ongoing onslaught against bandits by security operatives has forced their leaders to seek a truce with his government.

A resident of Mera, Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera (Yariman Mera), who confirmed the attack, said the group struck while people were getting set for Jumuat prayers.

He added that the terrorist group made away with 100 cattle.

According to him, on receipt of the news people of the town mobilised in hundreds and pursued them to the bush in a bid to rescue the cows which led to the exchange of gunfire between the people of the town and the bandits, and at the end, 15 people were killed while the group lost two men.

Yarima further explained that members of the Lakurawa group are hiding in Sokoto where they also coordinate their attack, saying initially they don’t kill they confiscate cows and ask owners to pay Zakat which Muslims pay from their wealth that has attained the level of Zakat and it has been happening for almost two months.

“This is their first attack that involved killing in our town, Mera. The governor expressed worry because he phoned me twice when he heard about the attack and he quickly sent armed soldiers with gun trucks and armoured tanks to contain the siege on the town,” he added.

Yerima noted that the Commanding Officer of Dukku Barracks of the Nigerian Army, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the state Commissioner of Police, and combined security forces had mobilised to the scene of the incident and normalcy had returned.

The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Samaila Yombe Dabai; and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, also visited Mera town to condole with the families of the deceased and assured the people of the state and Mera town of their safety.

Dabai said the governor is deeply worried about the attack and has pledged to ensure the protection of the people against further attack by the armed group.

Attempts to get the reaction of the state police command, the Public Relations Officers, and the Superintendent of Police, Nafiu Abubakar, were unsuccessful as his phone was not reachable.

Meanwhile, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has reportedly killed at least 70 ISWAP fighters in air strikes across the southern Lake Chad region.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, missiles were shot targeting camps led by Usman Russia, a “notorious ISWAP commander”.

Makama reported that the strikes hit camps in Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki, located near Jibilarram in Marte LGA of Borno State.

The report added that 79 casualties were recorded at the Kwallaram camp.

While the exact number of fatalities at Arainna Ciki remains unknown, the report noted that several militants were killed there as well.

“Meanwhile, following the strike, on November 7, reports emerged that ISWAP had mobilised additional fighters from its Sambisa wing, regrouping in the areas of Kusuma and Sigir in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area,” the report reads.

“Both locations are within the territory under Usman Russia’s control, with mobilised fighters reportedly including elements from Sambisa Forest and northern border areas of Cameroon.

“The group’s intent remains unknown.”

In a related development, the Katsina State Governor, Radda, has revealed that the ongoing onslaught against bandits by security operatives has forced their leaders to seek a truce with his government.

Radda, who stated this during the graduation and passing-out parade of the second batch of 550 newly recruited Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC), had vowed not to negotiate with the bandits.

But at the graduation ceremony held at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) College of Peace and Disaster Management, Babbar Ruga-Katsina, the governor did not disclose whether his government would engage the hoodlums in negotiation or not.

He, however, said the war against insecurity by the community watch corps and conventional security personnel in the state has led to the neutralisation of several bandits’ leaders, and “many have sought negotiation with the government.”

He added that the ragging onslaught against the bandits has reunited “hundreds of kidnapped persons” with their families and communities hitherto plugged by fear are now experiencing “peace and stability” in the state.

The governor said: “The gain of our fight against insecurity has reunited hundreds of kidnapped persons with their families. We have neutralised several bandits’ cells with their leaders and many have sought negotiation with the government.”

He noted, however, that the 550-member community watch corps who were presented with 10 Hilux Vans and motorcycles for operations, were selected from 10 local government areas of Bakori, Danja, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Kafur, Matazu, Charanchi, Musawa, Malumfashi, and Funtua.

He reiterated that the state government had also recruited 6,652 ward heads across the state to complement the efforts of security agencies in the fight against insecurity in the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman of KCWC, Major General Junaidu Sani-Bindawa (rtd), said the personnel were trained in community policing, intelligence and information gathering, weapons handling, and patrols, among other security skills.

Francis Sardauna and Onuminya Innocent

Follow us on: