Fighters from the Lakurawa jihadist group carried out attacks on Wednesday that led to the killing of dozens and the destruction of seven villages in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. Residents tried to confront the attackers who stole some heads of livestock, in an escalation that exacerbates the security crisis that includes a jihadist rebellion, pastoral conflicts, separatism, and widespread kidnapping.
Published on: 02/19/2026 - 22:50
Attacks carried out by fighters from the Lakurawa jihadist group killed dozens of people and destroyed seven villages in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, police said Thursday.
Members of the group attacked villages located in the Bui area of Arewa District (north) at around 1:15 p.m. (12:15 GMT) on Wednesday, according to what Kebbi State Police spokesman Bashir Usman said.
“Dozens of people were killed when residents of the villages of Mamono, Awasaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Goron Nai and Dan Mai Agu confronted the attackers,” Othman said. A security report revealed that the jihadists killed more than 30 villagers.
A person living in one of the villages reported that at least 35 people were killed. The witness, who lives in the village of Kanzo, said: “We were in our homes and heard the sounds of gunfire... People outside started running to shelters, and some were hit by gunshots.”
Othman explained that the attackers also stole some heads of livestock during the attack, noting that members of the police, army, and local militias were sent to the area.
Attacks from the forest
The attacks come days after the state hosted the Argungo hunting festival, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, about 60 kilometers from the Arewa area where the attacks occurred.
The Lakurawa group was held responsible for several attacks targeting residents of northern parts of neighboring Kebbi and Sokoto states. Its members launch attacks from their base in the forests, where they steal livestock and impose tributes on residents.
The Nigerian government announced that the air strikes carried out by the US military in Sokoto on December 25 targeted members of this group and gangs of “bandits.”
Some researchers indicate that the group is linked to the "Islamic State - Sahel Province", which is mainly active in neighboring Niger and Mali, but others question the validity of this theory.
A multidimensional security crisis
The group's activities have exacerbated the state of insecurity that Nigeria is suffering from. The West African country is facing a jihadist insurgency in the northeastern regions that began more than 16 years ago, in addition to a conflict between farmers and livestock breeders in the north-central region of the country. It is also facing a separatist movement in its southeast, and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest.
Nigeria is seeking technical support and training from the United States for its forces fighting jihadists after the escalation of violence led to tense relations between the two countries. The US Africa Command reported that it expects to deploy 200 soldiers in total.
US President Donald Trump considered that the violence in Nigeria represented "persecution" of Christians, echoing accusations long used by right-wing American religious and political groups.
But the Nigerian government and many independent experts confirm that Christians and Muslims alike are victims of the deteriorating security situation in the country.
France 24/AFP
Keywords related to the article
The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.
