Kebbi Under Siege: Police Neutralise Suspected Lakurawa Bandit as Violence Escalates

Kebbi State continues to grapple with escalating banditry as the notorious Lakurawa group targets communities and security personnel across the region. In a dramatic early morning operation, the Kebbi State Police Command successfully neutralised a suspected Lakurawa bandit in Malan Yaro village, Dandi Local Government Area, underscoring the persistent threat facing rural communities.

According to CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred on November 25, 2025, at approximately 5:26 a.m., when armed men believed to be members of the Lakurawa gang invaded Malan Yaro. Acting on a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kamba mobilised a combined team of Police operatives and Local vigilantes to confront the attackers.

The ensuing gun battle, which lasted several hours, resulted in the death of one bandit, while others reportedly fled into the forest with gunshot wounds. During the operation, authorities recovered two motorcycles believed to belong to the fleeing assailants. The remains of the deceased suspect were taken to the General Hospital, Kamba, for autopsy.

In a statement, CP Bello M. Sani, Commissioner of Police, commended the DPO of Kamba and collaborating security agencies for their bravery and professionalism, urging all personnel to maintain the ongoing synergy in tackling insecurity across the State.

Additional Police Personnel, Military Troops, and Vigilante groups have since been deployed to the Area to prevent reprisal attacks and curb further criminal activities linked to Lakurawa elements.

However, the Malan Yaro operation is just one part of a growing wave of violence. On the midnight of the previous Thursday, gunmen suspected to be Lakurawa members attacked the Nigeria Immigration checkpoint in Bakin Ruwa, along Maje border in Bagudo Local Government Area, killing three operatives. Eyewitnesses reported that the attack sparked panic, with residents fleeing the Area.

This latest assault comes less than a month after a customs officer was killed and official vehicles torched in the same Maje border region, highlighting the recurring threat posed by the Lakurawa group. These attacks have been linked to multiple incidents across Kebbi State, targeting both security personnel and civilians, though the underlying motives remain unclear. Investigations are ongoing.

As authorities continue to intensify security operations, they have called on Local communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces, emphasizing that the fight against banditry is ongoing and requires collective effort.