In what appears to be a reprisal attack following the killing of their leader, Maigemu, by a combined security force in Kebbi, suspected terrorists on Sunday allegedly attacked Birnin Dede village, killing 13 people in the latest wave of violence.
According to a local source, Malam Umar, the assailants also set at least eight villages on fire near Birnin Dede, all within the Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Malam Umar explained that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of their leader by security forces. He added that the attackers spared only one village, which was guarded by the army. “We seek protection from Allah against this dreaded group,” he said via telephone.
The Chairman of Arewa Local Government, Sani Aliyu, confirmed the attack to Channels Television.
Recall that combined security forces, with the support of Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris, recently killed the group’s kingpin, Maigemu, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the activities of armed groups in the state.
However, the spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, did not respond to calls or text messages seeking further details on the incident.
