Lakurawa Attack Claims Policeman, Two Civilians, Razes Security Vehicles in Sokoto
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
Suspected Lakurawa militants have attacked Girkau community in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing a police officer and two civilians, injuring a farmer, burning security vehicles and rustling several cattle.
Residents said the attackers, who stormed the community on Monday, opened fire indiscriminately on security operatives and villagers, sending many residents fleeing for safety.
Those reportedly killed included a police officer identified as Hussaini Manyu, an elderly resident, Bala Wakili, and a young herder who was allegedly shot dead after refusing to surrender his cattle.
Community sources said a farmer sustained gunshot wounds while working on his farmland and is receiving treatment at a medical facility.
The assailants were also said to have set ablaze a Police Hilux patrol vehicle and another Hilux belonging to the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps before escaping with an unspecified number of rustled cattle.
Residents further alleged that a married woman was assaulted after resisting an attempted sexual assault during the attack.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, described the assault as one of the most devastating attacks experienced by the community in recent months.
“We lost a police officer who was defending the community, an elderly man and a young herder. They also burnt security vehicles and carted away many cattle. People are living in fear because these attacks have become increasingly frequent” the community leader said.
Another resident said the community had repeatedly alerted security agencies to suspicious movements in the area before the attack but no preventive action was taken.
The residents appealed to the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations in Kebbe and neighbouring local government areas to prevent further attacks.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said operatives responded swiftly to a distress call and engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat.
“It is unfortunate that we lost one of our men during the attack” Rufai said.
According to him, security personnel were immediately deployed after receiving the distress call and successfully repelled the attackers, although one police officer was killed in the exchange of gunfire.
He also confirmed that the attackers burnt two security vehicles one belonging to the police and another to the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps.
Rufai assured residents that security operations had been intensified across the area and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
While the police confirmed the death of one officer, the destruction of two security vehicles and the repulsion of the attackers, reports of two civilian deaths, injuries, cattle rustling and other allegations were based on accounts provided by residents and community sources.
