Police Confirm Sokoto Terrorist Attack As Army Keeps Casualty Details Unclear

Police in Sokoto State have confirmed that suspected Lakurawa terrorists attacked Kebbe town, while the Nigerian Army has not confirmed reports that soldiers were killed during the confrontation.

The attack happened on Friday in Kebbe, the headquarters of Kebbe Local Government Area. Premium Times reported that the Sokoto police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, said armed fighters entered the town and engaged security personnel, prompting a security response and reinforcement deployment.

Punch reported that more than 300 suspected Lakurawa militants on motorcycles invaded the town, attacked shops, a hospital and vehicles, and exchanged fire with soldiers stationed near the area. It cited a Sokoto security expert, Bashar Altine, as saying four soldiers were feared killed, but said the casualty figure had not been independently confirmed.

Premium Times also reported the unconfirmed account that four soldiers were killed. It said Rufai confirmed the attack but stated that the police had no casualties and could not speak for the army.

The army’s acting deputy director of public relations for the 8 Division and Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, Olaniyi Osoba, declined to confirm or deny the reported soldier deaths when contacted by Premium Times, citing security protocols.

The reports place the attack in Kebbe town and describe it as a Lakurawa assault. Punch said the attackers moved into the Sabon Gari area after the exchange of fire and allegedly looted mobile phones and bread from shops.

Police said information was still being gathered after the incident. The confirmed point from both reports is that Kebbe came under attack and security agencies responded; the reported military casualty figure remains unconfirmed.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times