The newly formed armed group known as Lakurawa has reportedly killed 15 people and stolen over 100 cows in Mera, a town in Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area.
Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera (Yariman Mera), a prominent local figure, confirmed the attack to Daily Trust, stating that the group struck the town as residents were preparing for Friday’s Jumat prayer, seizing more than 100 cattle.
“Upon hearing of the raid, hundreds of townspeople organized and pursued the group into the bush, attempting to recover the stolen cows,” he said.
“There was exchange of fire between the people of the town and the bandits which led to the killing of 15 people and two of the lakurawas were also killed,” he said.
Mera added that the Lukarawas are hiding in Sokoto bush from where they coordinate their attacks.
“Initially they didn’t kill, they only confiscated cows and asked owners to pay ‘Zakat’. That has been happening for almost two months. This is their first attack in which they killed 15 people in our town,” he said.
Mera said Governor Nasir Idris had called him on the phone twice expressing worry over the killings and ordered deployment of soldiers to the community to contain the situation.
He added that the commanding officer of Dukku barracks, DSS boss, Commissioner of Police and combined security forces have been mobilised to restore normalcy to Mera town and its environs.
Also the state’s Deputy Governor, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, have visited Mera town to sympathise with families of the deceased.
They assured the people that the governor had pledged to ensure their protection against further attacks by the terror group.
The Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, could not be reached on the phone for comments as of the time of filing this report.