No fewer than six people were reportedly killed on Wednesday night in Baidi village, located in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, after an assault by suspected terrorists believed to be linked to the Lakurawa network, an armed group operating in the area.
Tangaza is among the local government areas previously targeted by a US airstrike in December and is widely believed to serve as a hideout for terrorists operating along the Nigeria–Niger border.
Residents said the attackers invaded the community under the cover of darkness and opened fire randomly. As a result, six adult males lost their lives, while several other villagers fled their homes in fear.
Following the attack, some residents shared videos and photographs on Facebook showing funeral prayers conducted for the victims after their burial on Thursday.
Attempts to obtain an official reaction from the Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Salihu, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Likewise, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, could not be reached for comment.
Nevertheless, local government officials who spoke anonymously confirmed the incident. While acknowledging the tense atmosphere in the area, they urged residents to remain calm and assured that security agencies were taking steps to restore normalcy.
Mourning community members also appealed for immediate reinforcement of security personnel, warning that without a sustained and stronger security presence, the village remains exposed to further attacks.
Security challenges in northwestern Sokoto State, particularly in Tangaza, have worsened over time due to sustained terrorist activities. The local government area shares a boundary with the Republic of Niger, making it a strategic “gateway” for cross-border movement. Terrorists reportedly exploit the porous border to flee into Niger when confronted by Nigerian forces or to smuggle weapons.
In recent years, Tangaza has witnessed the rise of the Lakurawa group. Initially made up of foreign herders from Sahelian countries, the group has transformed into a terrorist organisation that levies taxes on residents and enforces its own form of justice, frequently coming into conflict with traditional authorities.