Security operatives kill ‘notorious Lakurawa kingpin’ in Kebbi

Security operatives have reportedly killed a “notorious Lakurawa kingpin” identified as Maigemu, at Kuncin Baba area in Arewa LGA of Kebbi state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the suspect was killed on Thursday after a “fierce gun battle”.

The publication noted that the feat comes barely a week after Nasir Idris, governor of Kebbi state, visited Bagiza and Rausa Kade communities in the same LGA, to condole with residents over the killing of six people by suspected Lakurawa cattle rustlers.

“During the governor’s visit, he assured the affected communities of immediate security reinforcement and strategic measures to tackle criminal activities in the area,” Makama said.

“Today, his proactive approach has yielded results with the elimination of this kingpin. His corpse is available as evidence.”

Lakurawa is an armed group reportedly linked with extremist organisations operating in the Sahel region, particularly in Mali and Niger.

In recent times, the group have begun infiltrating into northern Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

In January, the federal high court in Abuja declared the Lakurawa sect as a terrorist group.