Summary
Gunmen suspected to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have attacked a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) checkpoint in 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 heightened tension among residents of border communities.
Multiple local sources told Channels Television that the terrorists launched a sudden attack on the immigration point, opening fire on officers on duty and killing three on the spot. A security source said the assailants fled through nearby bushes after the attack.
The spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, Nafiu Abubakar, noted that details of the incident were still sketchy. Efforts to obtain official comments from the Nigeria Immigration Service in the state were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Residents and members of various security agencies at Bagudo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the deadly assault.
About three weeks ago, a personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service was also killed in a similar incident along the Maje border axis. “The terrorists came in large numbers and started shooting sporadically. Everyone ran for safety,” one resident said. The Customs officer was killed on the spot before the attackers set the camp ablaze, destroying several official vehicles.
The Lakurawa gang has been linked to numerous violent incidents across parts of Kebbi State, targeting both security personnel and civilians. The motive for the latest attack remains unclear, though security authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
What you should know
The attack on the Bakin Ruwa NIS checkpoint is part of a growing pattern of violence by the Lakurawa terrorist group along the Nigeria–Benin border.
Security agencies are investigating, but previous assaults indicate escalating insecurity in the region, targeting both officers and civilians.
