Lakurawa, the new terrorist organisation has killed 15 people and rustled over 100 cows in Mera, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The unfortunate attack was disclosed by Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera (Yariman Mera), a prominent figure in the community.
he said the criminal elements invaded the town as people were getting set for Jumat prayer on Friday, and made away with over 100 cattle.
“Upon receiving the news, the people of the town mobilised hundreds to pursue the group into the bush to recover the animals, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the locals and the group, resulting in the deaths of fifteen people and two members of the Lakurawa group”, Isah said.
Moreover, the deputy governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, have visited Mera town to condole with families of the deceased.
They assured the people that the governor had pledged to ensure their protection against further attacks by the terror group.
Police authorities in Kebbi State are yet to issue a statement in respect to the development.
Meanwhile, the attack is coming after Defence Headquarters on Thursday, alerted the general public over the emergence of the new group.
Major-General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations announced their presence during press briefing on the operations of the military in Abuja.
He said that the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
Buba revealed that prior to the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorist at bay.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology,” he said.
Speaking further during the press briefing, Buba said that the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that they meant well for them, adding that they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies.
However, he gave assurance that troops had sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.
He added that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.
According to him, troops are locating them and eliminating the threat.