Gunmen believed to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have attacked a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) checkpoint at Bakin Ruwa, along the Maje border in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing three officers.
The assault, which occurred around midnight on Wednesday, has sparked fear and anxiety among residents of border communities.
Multiple local sources told Channels Television that the terrorists stormed the immigration checkpoint unexpectedly and opened fire on officers on duty, killing three instantly.
A security source added that the attackers fled into nearby bushes. Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar noted that details of the attack are still emerging.
Efforts to obtain information from the Nigeria Immigration Service in Kebbi were unsuccessful, as officials could not be reached at the time of filing this report. However, some locals and security personnel in Bagudo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.
About three weeks ago, a Nigeria Customs Service personnel was killed in a similar attack.
“The terrorists came in large numbers and started shooting sporadically. Everyone ran for safety,” a community resident said anonymously.
In that earlier incident, the Customs officer was killed on the spot, and the attackers set the camp on fire. Several official vehicles were also destroyed in attacks along the Maje border axis, raising concerns about escalating insecurity along the Nigeria–Benin border corridor in Bagudo.
The Lakurawa gang has been linked to multiple violent incidents across parts of Kebbi State, targeting both security personnel and civilians. The motive for this latest attack remains unclear, though security authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing.