The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a police officer and two civilians following an attack by suspected Lakurawa militants on Girkau community in Kebbe Local Government Area of the state.
The attackers also reportedly set ablaze two security vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Police Force and the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps during the Monday attack.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Rufai, said operatives were immediately deployed to the community after receiving a distress call and successfully repelled the attackers after a gun battle.
According to him, one police officer was killed in the line of duty while two security vehicles were destroyed.
“It is unfortunate that we lost one of our men during the attack. We received a distress call from the community and immediately mobilised our personnel to the scene. We were able to repel the Lakurawa bandits, but during the exchange of gunfire, one of our officers paid the supreme price.
“They burnt two vehicles, one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps,” Rufai said.
He added that the command had intensified security operations in the area and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property.
Meanwhile, residents said the heavily armed assailants invaded the community, opening fire on security personnel and villagers, forcing many to flee.
Community sources identified the slain police officer as Hussaini Manyu. They also claimed that an elderly resident, Bala Wakili, and a young herder were killed during the attack, while several other persons sustained injuries.
According to the sources, the young herder was allegedly shot dead after refusing to surrender his cattle to the attackers.
They further alleged that a farmer sustained gunshot injuries while working on his farmland and is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility.
The sources also claimed that the attackers assaulted a married woman after she resisted an attempted sexual assault during the invasion.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, described the incident as one of the worst attacks recorded in the area in recent months.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations in Kebbe and neighbouring local government areas to prevent further attacks.
Another resident said the community had repeatedly alerted security agencies to suspicious movements before the attack but no preventive action was taken. He lamented that the incident had forced many residents to flee their homes over fears of further attacks.
