Suspected members of the Lakurawa and Mamudawa terrorist groups have killed a police inspector and 11 residents in a series of attacks on communities in Kebbi State.
The attacks, which occurred between October 22 and 28, reportedly affected Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi communities in the riverine areas of Besse and Shanga Local Government Areas.
The gunmen were also said to have burnt houses, looted property and forced residents to flee their homes.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the attackers moved along the River Niger corridor from Kaoje towards Besse, unleashing violence on several communities.
A resident, Aminu Usman, described the attacks as devastating, saying many villagers were taken by surprise.
He said the gunmen operated in a coordinated manner, setting houses ablaze and carting away residents’ belongings before retreating to their hideouts.
“The attack took many of the villagers unaware. No one expected that the Lakurawa terrorists would attack us. The attack was carried out in a coordinated manner. They burnt our houses and looted our property.
“Many people have been rendered homeless, and they have fled the communities,” he said.
Confirming the incidents, the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, Bashir Usman, said the attacks occurred on different dates and affected several communities, bringing the death toll to 12.
He said the Lakurawa terrorists first attacked communities along the Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi axis on October 22 but were repelled by security operatives.
According to him, the attackers returned on October 26 and 28, targeting the same communities.