Lakurawa Ambush in Sokoto Leaves 13 Hunters Dead

In the heart of Hurumi Forest, a deadly trap sprang shut. On a scorching Thursday afternoon, May 1, 2025, the quiet of Talewa Ward in Sokoto’s Tangaza Local Government Area shattered as Lakurawa terrorists ambushed a group of hunters, leaving 13 dead in a brutal clash that has sent shockwaves through rural Nigeria. The forest, a known hideout for these ruthless gunmen, became a graveyard for men who dared to venture too deep.The victims, seasonal hunters from villages like Kangiye, Chancha, and Rantijadi, were armed with Dane guns and accompanied by their dogs for an annual hunting expedition. Around midday, between 12 noon and 1 pm, they stumbled into a Lakurawa stronghold. Despite warnings from local authorities about the terrorists’ presence, the hunters pressed on, a decision that proved fatal. A local resident, speaking to Daily Trust, described the scene as chaos, with gunfire echoing through the trees. Three bodies were recovered, but 10 others remain missing, with fears some may have been kidnapped by the terrorists.The Lakurawa, a shadowy group with ties to Boko Haram, planned the attack with chilling precision. A security official, who asked not to be named, revealed their goal was to lure soldiers into a larger ambush. Intelligence reports stopped the military from walking into the trap, but the hunters paid the ultimate price. These terrorists, some hailing from Mali, Niger, and Libya, have haunted Sokoto and Kebbi states since 2016, morphing from local allies against bandits into a radical force imposing strict religious laws and terrorizing communities.The bloodshed didn’t end there. On Friday, May 2, the Lakurawa struck again, targeting Magonho village in Tangaza. Soldiers fought them off, reclaiming stolen livestock, but the gunmen returned hours later, torching an MTN mast and cutting off mobile networks. This left villagers isolated, gripped by fear of the next attack. The group’s tactics have shifted, focusing on stealing cattle and targeting security forces rather than holding villages, making them harder to pin down.Sokoto’s authorities are reeling. Colonel Ahmed Usman (retired), the governor’s security adviser, stressed the need for communities to stop shielding informants who aid the terrorists. DSP Ahmad Rufa’i of the Sokoto Police confirmed two bodies were buried, while Major-General Ibikunle Ajose, commanding the 8 Division, highlighted recent successes against bandits but admitted the Lakurawa remain a stubborn threat. Military operations, like Operation Fansan Yamma, have destroyed 22 terrorist camps since December 2024, but the group’s use of landmines and local betrayal keeps the danger alive.This tragedy exposes a deeper wound. The hunters’ defiance of warnings reflects the desperation of rural Nigerians, caught between tradition and a growing menace. The Lakurawa’s grip tightens as they recruit youths with cash and exploit ungoverned forests. With Sokoto’s communities cut off from communication and under constant threat, the question lingers: how much longer can this terror fester? The answer lies not just in guns, but in trust—between people and those fighting to protect them.