Lakurawa fighters kill two, lead prayers in Sokoto mosque

Lakurawa fighters reportedly killed two people and led Friday prayers at the Izalah Central Mosque in Kaya village, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Bakatsine, a journalist covering conflicts in North-West Nigeria, disclosed this in a post on X on Monday.

According to him, the fighters arrived in the community around 11am and remained there for nearly seven hours, forcing residents to stay indoors while they moved from house to house and stole cattle.

He said the fighters later went to the mosque for Jumu’ah prayers, made the call to prayer and led the prayers, while most residents remained indoors out of fear.

Bakatsine added that the fighters subsequently looted shops and Point-of-Sale outlets, carting away goods and large sums of money before leaving the community around 5pm.

He wrote: “BREAKING: Lakurawa fighters reportedly killed two people, led the Friday prayers, at the Izalah Central Mosque in Kaya village, Tambuwal LGA, Sokoto State.

“A resident said they arrived around 11am and stayed for almost seven hours, forcing residents to remain inside their homes while they moved from house to house, stealing cattle.

“When it was time for Jumu’ah prayers, they went to the mosque, made the call to prayer and led the prayers, while most residents stayed indoors out of fear.

“They later looted shops and POS outlets, taking away goods and large sums of money before leaving the community around 5pm.”

Bakatsine described the incident as disturbing, questioning how armed fighters could occupy a community for hours, restrict residents’ movement, take over a mosque and loot businesses without intervention.