Grief and fear gripped the rural community of Baidi village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State after suspected Lakurawa bandits launched a deadly nighttime assault on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least six innocent residents.
Eyewitnesses recounted how the armed attackers stormed the village around nightfall, opening indiscriminate fire on locals and sending panicked residents fleeing into the surrounding bush for safety. The assault left an unspecified number of others injured, with reports of chaos and heavy gunfire echoing through the community located just about one kilometer from the Tangaza LGA headquarters and near the volatile Nigeria-Niger border.
The victims, peaceful villagers going about their daily lives, were buried on Thursday following funeral prayers, as families mourned the sudden loss amid calls for urgent security reinforcements. Residents linked the renewed violence to the community's refusal to comply with previous demands or directives allegedly issued by the bandits, noting that similar attacks have targeted nearby areas like Sanyinna in the past.
This latest incident is attributed to the Lakurawa network, a jihadist-affiliated group operating across border communities in Sokoto's Tangaza, Binji, Gudu, and Illela LGAs, as well as parts of neighboring Kebbi State. Known for cross-border incursions from the Sahel region, Lakurawa has repeatedly terrorized rural populations through killings, extortion, and intimidation, exacerbating the long-standing insecurity in the northwest.
Local sources and security analysts have highlighted Baidi's vulnerability due to its proximity to international borders and sparse security presence in remote villages. Communities have long suffered repeated assaults, with residents expressing frustration over the persistent threat and pleading for stronger military and police deployment to protect lives and restore calm.
The attack comes amid intensified military operations in the region, including recent successes by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, who have neutralized terrorists, recovered weapons, destroyed hideouts, and rescued dozens of hostages in coordinated efforts across Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.
Despite these gains, rural border areas continue to face sporadic violence from groups like Lakurawa.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement from the Sokoto State Police Command specifically on this incident, but residents are urging immediate action to prevent further bloodshed.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com