Lakurawa fighters kill two, lead prayers in Sokoto mosque
Lakurawa fighters reportedly killed two individuals and conducted Friday prayers at the Izalah Central Mosque in Kaya village, located within the Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on Friday.
Bakatsine, a journalist who covers conflicts in North-West Nigeria, shared details of the incident in a post on X on Monday. He reported that the armed group arrived in the community around 11 a.m. and remained for nearly seven hours. During this time, they forced residents to remain indoors while they searched houses and stole cattle.
According to Bakatsine, the fighters proceeded to the mosque for Jumu’ah prayers, where they made the call to prayer and led the congregation. Most residents, however, refrained from attending due to fear for their safety.
Following the prayers, the fighters allegedly looted local shops and Point-of-Sale outlets, taking both goods and large sums of money. They departed the community around 5 p.m.
Bakatsine characterized the event as disturbing, raising concerns about how armed individuals could maintain control over a community for an extended period, restrict movement, utilize a mosque, and engage in looting without any apparent intervention.
