At least 15 people have been killed in a deadly attack on Kwalajiya village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, allegedly carried out by suspected members of the Lakurawa group.
According to Instablog9ja, the attack occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday while residents were observing afternoon prayers.
According to eyewitnesses, heavily armed assailants stormed the village, firing indiscriminately at worshippers and farmers. Homes, shops, and farmlands were set ablaze, and the community’s telecommunications mast was destroyed, effectively cutting off mobile network access.
Local sources say the assault was a reprisal for the killing of three Lakurawa members—including a suspected leader—during a failed raid on the village a few days earlier.
“This is the first time they’ve attacked us so directly,” a village elder told reporters. “It’s clearly retaliation for the deaths of their men during their last attempt to raid the village.”
Another source cited increasing tensions between the community and the Lakurawa group, particularly over local resistance to marrying daughters into the group — a decision that reportedly angered its members.
In the wake of the attack, Kwalajiya has been largely deserted as residents flee to safer towns such as Gidan Madi. “They spared the women but killed our men and destroyed everything we had,” one displaced resident lamented.
At least seven people sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. Local government officials and security operatives reportedly attended the victims’ burial on Wednesday, while plans are underway to deploy more troops to the area.
Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufa’i confirmed the incident but said an official casualty count is still being verified. Community leaders are now calling on the federal and state governments to urgently restore security and telecommunications in the area to prevent further violence.
