Police Confirm Five Persons Killed In Terror Attack On Kebbi Mosque During Prayers

 Gunmen believed to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group struck a mosque in Dadin Kowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on Wednesday evening, killing five worshippers and leaving three others injured. The assault unfolded around 8:30 p.m. while congregants were engaged in Taraweeh prayers and a nighttime Qur’anic Tafsir session during the holy month of Ramadan.

Kebbi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident in an official statement released shortly after the attack. He described it as a reprisal action by suspected Lakurawa elements, coming in the wake of a thwarted ambush on troops attached to the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division earlier that week. Authorities believe the terrorists targeted the mosque to retaliate after security forces neutralized several of their members during the failed operation on February 24.

Witness accounts paint a grim picture of the chaos. Attackers reportedly stormed the mosque, opening fire indiscriminately on the gathered worshippers who had come together for evening devotions after breaking their fast. The sudden gunfire caused panic, with people scrambling for safety amid the bloodshed. Those killed were buried according to Islamic rites soon after, in line with religious customs. The three injured victims were rushed to a nearby medical facility, where they are receiving treatment for their wounds.

This latest violence adds to the mounting security concerns in Nigeria’s northwest, where Lakurawa and other armed groups have intensified activities in recent months. The group, which operates along border areas and has been linked to previous deadly raids, appears to be escalating reprisals against communities and security forces alike. Just days earlier, suspected Lakurawa militants carried out coordinated attacks in Kebbi’s Arewa Local Government Area, claiming dozens of lives and displacing many residents.

Local residents and community leaders have expressed deep shock and sorrow over the targeting of a place of worship during a sacred time. Mosques, often central to community life and spiritual gatherings, have rarely been directly hit in this manner, making the incident particularly disturbing for many. Faith leaders in the area have called for heightened vigilance and urged authorities to bolster protection for religious sites and gatherings, especially amid ongoing Ramadan observances.

The Kebbi Police Command has assured the public that investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators and prevent further attacks. Security forces, including military units from the 8 Division, are said to be pursuing leads and reinforcing patrols in vulnerable communities. Officials have appealed to residents to provide any useful information that could aid the ongoing probe.

This tragedy deepens the persistent threat posed by insurgent and terrorist elements in the region, where violence often spills over from rural banditry and cross-border militancy. Communities in Kebbi and neighboring states continue to grapple with the dual challenges of insecurity and economic hardship, with many families living in fear of sudden raids.

As the injured recover and families mourn their losses, the focus remains on restoring calm and ensuring that places of worship remain safe havens for reflection and prayer. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to rooting out these threats and protecting civilians, while urging the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities promptly.

The incident has drawn condemnation from various quarters, with calls for stronger collaborative efforts between security agencies, local leaders, and communities to disrupt the operations of such groups before they can strike again.