How Lakurawa Terrorists K!lled Seven Nigerian Soldiers, Civilian After Military Vehicle Broke Down In Sokoto

 

 

How Lakurawa Terrorists Killed Seven Nigerian Soldiers, Civilian After Military Vehicle Broke Down In Sokoto

The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, has heightened fresh concerns over worsening insecurity in border communities within the state, where armed groups have continued to launch attacks on both security operatives and residents.

Fresh details have emerged over a deadly attack in which suspected Lakurawa terrorists reportedly ambushed troops of Operation Fasan Yamma in Runji village, located in the Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing at least seven soldiers and a civilian guide.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, has heightened fresh concerns over worsening insecurity in border communities within the state, where armed groups have continued to launch attacks on both security operatives and residents.

According to Punch quoting local and military sources, the troops had earlier embarked on a coordinated offensive against a suspected Lakurawa enclave situated near the Nigeria-Niger border.

The operation was said to have been successful, with the soldiers reportedly destroying parts of the hideout and inflicting casualties on the armed group before beginning their return journey to base.

However, the situation reportedly turned tragic after one of the military vehicles conveying the troops developed a mechanical fault along the route back to Illela.

A source familiar with the operation said some soldiers stopped to repair the vehicle while others secured the area, apparently unaware that the terrorists had regrouped after the earlier raid.

“The terrorists apparently regrouped after the attack on their camp and trailed the soldiers to retaliate,” the source disclosed.

The source further stated that the attackers stormed the area riding on nearly 30 motorcycles, each carrying armed fighters who immediately opened fire on the troops.

“They met the soldiers where the faulty vehicle was being repaired, and a fierce exchange of gunfire followed,” he added.

Another account of the incident, however, suggested that the troops may have abandoned the damaged vehicle before the ambush occurred.

According to the source, the soldiers were trekking back toward their base alongside a civilian guide who was helping them navigate the difficult terrain when the terrorists struck.

“The troops were moving back toward Illela with the help of a local guide when the terrorists attacked them. Seven soldiers and the civilian assisting them were killed,” the source said.

Residents of nearby communities said panic spread across the area as gunshots echoed through the village during the confrontation.

One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said local volunteers and residents later joined security operatives in searching the surrounding bushes for missing personnel after the attack subsided.

“We counted seven corpses altogether after the missing soldier’s body was later found,” the resident said.

Security sources confirmed that the remains of the slain soldiers were subsequently evacuated to Sokoto for burial arrangements and further military procedures. Reinforcement teams were also reportedly drafted to the area amid fears of further attacks.

A local government official familiar with the incident disclosed that one of those killed was a senior officer believed to hold the rank of lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.

Further details surrounding the attack emerged on Monday as another military source claimed the troops had altered their movement after receiving a distress call shortly after concluding the earlier operation.

“The troops of Operation Fasan Yamma had just concluded a successful operation when they received a distress call and turned back,” the source explained.

“They used one of the soldiers as bait, and on their way back, the troops were ambushed. Two officers, both lieutenants, were killed during the encounter,” he added.

The latest attack adds to growing security concerns in parts of Sokoto and other northwestern states, where armed groups and terrorist factions have increasingly targeted rural communities and security formations despite ongoing military operations in the region.

The Nigerian military has yet to react to the findings as of the time of filing this report.