A wave of deadly violence has struck communities in north-western Nigeria after armed militants stormed several villages at the same time, leaving dozens dead and families displaced.
Local officials say at least 34 people were killed when the attackers moved through remote settlements in Kebbi state, carrying out what survivors described as a carefully planned operation.
The raids happened on Tuesday in a border district of Kebbi, where gunmen reportedly launched coordinated assaults on multiple villages. Residents said the attackers overpowered local security efforts and forced many people to run for safety. Homes were abandoned as frightened families fled into nearby areas to escape the gunfire.
Survivors described the attackers as highly organised, saying they swept through villages firing indiscriminately at residents. According to accounts from those who escaped, the gunmen moved from one settlement to another with speed, creating panic and confusion as they shot at people without warning.
Local officials have pointed to Lakurawa, a relatively new armed group operating in the region, as being responsible for the violence. The group has been active in parts of north-western Nigeria and along the border with Niger. In December, it was targeted by US air strikes in Sokoto state, further north.
Security forces have since been deployed to the affected communities to help protect residents and support those who survived the attacks. Authorities say operations are under way to track the gunmen and block possible escape routes. The aim is to restore calm and prevent further bloodshed in the area.
Although there has not yet been an official public statement from the authorities about the latest killings, images showing bodies wrapped in white cloth and prepared for burial have been widely shared on social media. The pictures have deepened public concern and grief.
The attacks have triggered anger among many Nigerians online, with calls growing louder for the government to take stronger action to stop repeated violence in different parts of the country. Many say communities in the north have faced frequent assaults by armed groups, leaving residents living in fear.
Last year, Nigerian authorities formally declared Lakurawa a terrorist organisation and banned it nationwide. The move followed reports that its fighters were flogging people for listening to music in areas under their influence.
Officials say Lakurawa has links to jihadist factions in Mali and Niger. Over the years, its fighters are said to have settled in communities along the Nigeria-Niger border, marrying local women and recruiting young people into the group. This presence has allowed it to build networks within border settlements.
The group has previously carried out similar raids in Kebbi, using coordinated simultaneous attacks to swamp local defences. Tuesday’s assault follows that pattern, raising concerns about the capacity of local communities to withstand such operations.
The rise of Lakurawa adds another layer to Nigeria’s security crisis. The government is already confronting Boko Haram fighters in the north-east, heavily armed kidnapping gangs across the north-west and central regions, and separatist groups in the south-east. The latest killings underline the growing pressure on security agencies as they struggle to contain multiple threats at once.
