Two people, including a local vigilante, have been killed while another person sustained gunshot injuries after suspected Lakurawa terrorists attacked Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack occurred Sunday afternoon, according to residents who spoke to our reporter.
The terrorists reportedly stormed the community and opened fire, prompting local vigilantes to engage them in a fierce gun battle that lasted for more than an hour.
A community guard, who confirmed the incident to our reporter on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said security personnel were mobilised to the area following reports of the attack.
“We are just coming back from the village. As soon as the news of the attack reached the security authorities, soldiers, community guards and policemen were mobilised to the village, but the terrorists had already fled before we arrived,” he said.
He said the attackers killed two people, including a farmer who was returning from his farm and a vigilante, while another resident sustained gunshot injuries and was evacuated to a hospital for treatment.
The source said there were reports that three of the terrorists were killed during the exchange of gunfire with the vigilantes, but he could not independently confirm the claim.
“I believe they heard that security personnel were coming and decided to flee. But the vigilantes were able to repel the attack as they engaged them in a fierce gun battle,” he said.
The attack comes amid renewed concerns over the activities of Lakurawa and other armed groups operating along parts of Sokoto State’s border communities.
The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the attack but said he was awaiting further details from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.
