Gunmen Kill Six Worshippers in Kebbi Mosque

Suspected members of the Lakurawa group have reportedly carried out a deadly assault on a mosque in Dadinkowa, located in the Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving six worshippers dead and three others injured.

The attackers reportedly stormed the mosque on Wednesday evening during prayers, opening fire on congregants.

According to the state police spokesperson, Bashir Usman, the assault was linked to an earlier confrontation between security forces and the suspected militants attached to the Lakurawa group. 

He explained that the sequence of events began on February 24, when troops escorting senior military leadership came under attack.

Usman noted that a convoy carrying the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division and the Sector 2 Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Bemgha Koughna, was ambushed while moving through forested terrain near Mayama Hill. 

Security forces, however, repelled the attack after a gun battle, killing several of the assailants and preventing further escalation.

“The GOC’s convoy, while navigating forested terrain near Mayama Hill, came under heavy gunfire from armed terrorists believed to be members of the Lakurawa group.

“Troops responded with superior firepower, engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel and neutralised five of them, thereby foiling the ambush.”

In what is believed to be a reprisal, the gunmen later targeted the mosque, resulting in multiple casualties.

Police said five victims initially died from gunshot wounds, while three others sustained injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities.

However, community sources stated that six victims were eventually buried following Islamic funeral rites, indicating a higher death toll than initially reported.