Separate attacks on communities in Kebbi State have left 12 people, including a police inspector even as many residents flee their homes and shops.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the deaths following attacks in the Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi axis, while footage obtained by SaharaReporters showed extensive destruction in Waiwayi village, Okoh-besse Local Government Area.
However, a man narrating the video in Hausa claimed that as many as 20 people were killed in the attack on Waiwayi, a figure that could not be independently verified.
The police identified the attackers in the October 26 and 28 incidents as suspected Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorists and said joint security teams had repelled the assaults.
In the video, the narrator appealed to the public to share the footage to draw attention to the destruction in the community.
“This is Waiwayi town. The town has fallen under the control of terrorists. As you can see, these are the places that have been set on fire,” he said, showing damaged buildings.
“Look at what has happened here, my brothers and sisters. Can you see it? Look at this. You can see it. This is all that remains of the town,” he added.
The narrator alleged that the attackers killed residents, forced others to flee and burnt their homes. He also claimed that shops and houses were looted and motorcycles set ablaze.
The footage showed burnt buildings, damaged property and deserted streets, with no residents visible in the areas captured.
Reports indicated that residents of some affected communities in Kebbi State had fled to Koko town for safety amid fears of further attacks.
Police explain circumstances surrounding attacks
The police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the command was aware of the security situation in communities along the Besse/Shanga riverine axis and the video circulating online.
Usman said the crisis began with a rumour that suspected Lakurawa members had rustled cattle and that an attack was imminent.
He said the rumour led to the mobilisation of local vigilantes known as Yangon Sakai, who allegedly attacked Fulani traders at Samanaji Market on the 22nd of October 2026.
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“This triggered the mass mobilisation of rogue Yangon Sakai, who, on October 22, 2026, invaded Samanaji Market and attacked innocent Fulani traders who had come to conduct their lawful businesses,” he said.
The police spokesperson said tactical teams deployed by the Divisional Police Officer in Besse responded to restore peace and prevent further violence.
“Our police tactical teams, deployed by the Divisional Police Officer in Besse, responded promptly to restore peace and prevent further carnage. However, three Fulani people lost their lives, while a police inspector sustained injuries in the line of duty,” Usman said.
He linked the displacement of residents from some communities to subsequent reprisal attacks.
“The present displacement of residents is an offshoot of reprisal attacks in some villages,” he said.
Police report seven deaths in latest attacks
Usman said suspected Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorists attacked communities around Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi on October 26 and 28.
He said joint security teams repelled the attacks, although seven people were killed during the incidents, including a police inspector.
“Meanwhile, recent attacks on October 26 and 28 in the Karwa, Kestu and Waiwayi axis by suspected Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorists were gallantly repelled by our joint security teams, although seven people unfortunately lost their lives, including a police inspector who paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” he said.
The police account put the combined death toll from the October 26 and 28 attacks at 12, including five deaths recorded on October 26 and seven on October 28.
However, the narrator in the video claimed that up to 20 people died in the attack on Waiwayi. The figures could not be independently reconciled from the available information.
The police spokesperson said the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, had ordered clearance, search-and-rescue and confidence-building operations across the affected communities.
He added that additional Police Mobile Force personnel, tactical teams and conventional officers had been deployed to work with other security agencies.
“Additional Police Mobile Force, tactical and conventional teams have been deployed to work in synergy with other security agencies to dominate the area and restore lasting peace,” Usman said.
He said investigations were ongoing and urged residents to remain calm and disregard unverified reports circulating online.
Naija News
