Suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have invaded the Girkau community in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing a police officer and two civilian residents, while leaving several others injured.
The violent raid occurred on Monday, August 3, 2026. During the assault, the gunmen also set ablaze two operational vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Police Force and the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps.
Police engage attackers in gun battle, confirm casualty
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Sokoto State Police Command Spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, stated that security operatives responded to a distress call from the village and engaged the terrorists in an intense gun duel to repel the invasion.
“It is unfortunate that we lost one of our men during the attack. We received a distress call from the community and immediately mobilised our personnel to the scene. We were able to repel the Lakurawa bandits, but during the exchange of gunfire, one of our officers paid the supreme price,” Rufai disclosed.
He confirmed the destruction of the two security vehicles and noted that tactical reinforcement has been deployed to neutralise remaining threats and restore order across Kebbe LGA.
Victims identified as residents recount night of terror
According to local sources, the heavily armed assailants stormed the village, shooting indiscriminately, forcing frightened residents to scatter into surrounding bushes.
Community members identified those killed in the attack as Hussaini Manyu: A police officer killed while defending the village, Bala Wakili: An elderly resident of the community, and a young pastoralist shot dead after refusing to surrender his livestock to the terrorists.
In addition to the fatalities, a local farmer sustained severe gunshot wounds while working on his land and is currently receiving medical care.
Community sources also revealed that the invaders physically assaulted a married woman who resisted an attempted sexual assault during the house-to-house raid, before escaping with a large number of rustled cattle.
Community calls for permanent security outposts
A local leader, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, described the raid as one of the most devastating assaults recorded in the area in recent months, emphasising that residents are now living in perpetual fear.
Another resident noted that locals had previously alerted security agencies after observing suspicious movements around the forest borders surrounding Kebbe LGA before the attack took place.
Residents are calling on both the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to establish permanent military and police outposts along vulnerable border corridors to curb the growing incursions of the Lakurawa group.
