No fewer than 13 hunters are feared dead after suspected Lakurawa terrorists ambushed a seasonal hunting expedition in Hurumi Forest, Talewa ward, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Daily Trust gathered that the hunters, who came from various communities in Tangaza and Gwadabawa LGAs of the state, encountered the terrorists between 12 noon and 1pm on Thursday during their annual hunting trip, despite repeated warnings from local authorities over the threat of violence in the area.
Sources said the hunters, who were armed with Dane guns and accompanied by their dogs, walked directly into the terrorists’ enclave deep inside the forest.
“Three bodies have been recovered so far, while 10 remain unaccounted for. Some survivors have returned home,” a resident of Tangaza, who preferred to be anonymous due to safety concerns, told Daily Trust
Locals said Kangiye lost five hunters, Chancha and Rantijadi lost two each, while Gidan Kaji and Gandaba Yamma lost one each, and Gandaba Gabas also lost two hunters.
Military repels attack, terrorists destroy MTN mast
On Friday, suspected Lakurawa armed men launched a separate attack on Magonho village in Tangaza. The assault was repelled by military forces who also recovered rustled livestock.
However, the insurgents returned just two hours later and bombed an MTN telecommunications mast, cutting off mobile network access in the community.
Lakurawa wanted to use hunters to ambush military – Official
A local government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the militants had planned to use the hunters as bait to lure security forces into an ambush.
“The Lakurawa intended to exploit the hunters to get to the military. Their real target was not the hunters,” the official explained.
He further stated that military forces were alerted to the plot through intelligence gathered by operatives, which prevented a potential catastrophe.
“We shared the intelligence with the military, and that’s why they didn’t deploy to the area on the day of the incident,” he said.
The source clarified that they were hunters from various communities in Tangaza and Gwadabawa, “who unfortunately found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He also expressed concern about the fate of some of the hunters reportedly taken by the militants.
“We received reports that some of them were abducted. We’re still trying to determine if they’re alive or have been killed,” the official said.
He said the Lakurawa have shifted tactics in recent months.
“They no longer impose their laws on villagers like before. Now, they focus on looting livestock and targeting security personnel, often seizing their weapons during attacks,” he said.
The group has reportedly fortified their positions by planting landmines on routes leading to their camps.
“There is hardly any community in Tangaza that they have not infiltrated, except for Masallaci and Rakah where military bases are located. But Salewa ward is entirely under their control,” the official said.
He added that the situation has become dire for local authorities.
“Our local government is under immense financial strain. We have been supporting security operations to the extent that we are now indebted,” the source said.
Another resident of Tangaza expressed concern about the group’s unchecked access to rural communities.
“They don’t behave like typical bandits who kidnap for ransom. They focus on government officials, military personnel, and cattle. They only harm civilians if they are provoked or resisted,” he added.
‘Search for missing hunters ongoing’
Confirming the incident, Ghazzali Aliyu Rakah, Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Chairman of Tangaza LGA, said combined security operatives and local vigilantes were still combing the forest to recover the missing hunters or their bodies.
“We have been working since Saturday, but a shortage of security personnel and patrol vehicles is hampering our efforts. We’ve mobilised officers from Raka, Tsauna, and Binji to support the operation,” he said.
Rakah maintained that the hunters were not on a counter-insurgency mission but were conducting their usual seasonal hunting.
“They were aware of the dangers but chose to go ahead. This was their destiny,” he said.
Rakah also warned that the Lakurawa were increasingly using landmines and other explosives.
“Some soldiers were killed last month when their vehicle hit a landmine. That’s why our security situation is even worse than in Isa and Sabon Birni,” he said.
He lamented the presence of informants within communities who leaked military movements to the terrorists.
“In some cases, troops have threatened to abandon their posts due to this betrayal,” he said, adding that the terrorists often disguised themselves as local villagers, making them difficult to identify.
Rakah confirmed the destruction of the MTN mast and assured residents that both the local and state governments were actively working to restore peace.
Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd), Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, said the state government is working in close collaboration with security agencies to protect communities.
“The governor prioritises security. He acts immediately whenever we reach out. But we need the people to support government efforts and stop shielding criminals,” Usman said.
Sokoto State Police Command spokesman, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed that two bodies had been recovered and were buried by relatives.
He added that a joint operation was ongoing to find the remaining missing hunters.
Recent similar incident in Adamawa
Meanwhile, 10 hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were killed last week in an attack on Kwapre village, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The Boko Haram terrorists’ attack, which occurred around 4pm on Saturday, April 26, 2025, also left one person injured.
Kwapre village, which shares a border with Sambisa Forest – a notorious Boko Haram hideout in Borno State – has long been a frequent target of terrorist attacks.
Since 2024, the community has suffered repeated assaults, resulting in the loss of lives and extensive property damage. It had been attacked three times this year.
According to sources, the Civilian JTF members who were deployed to the village came from Hawul Local Government Area in Borno State, while the hunters were drawn from various local government areas within Adamawa State.
They had been supporting security agencies in their efforts to combat insurgency in the area.
The victims were reportedly ambushed by insurgents wielding superior firepower.
String of deadly attacks
The latest attack adds to a growing list of terrorist activities in Tangaza LGA.
In April 2025, Lakurawa militants killed two fishermen and one farmer in Sanyinna village. The victims, Zubairu Kusugu, Aminu Ibrahim, and Salisu Dangwati, were ambushed while fishing.
In March, the group raided Baidi village, killing one person, injuring four (including two soldiers), and rustling livestock, including cattle and camels. A shootout with security forces followed, with casualties reported on both sides.
Despite these challenges, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, has remained optimistic about the military’s gains.
Speaking in January 2025 at the 2024 West African Social Activities (WASA) event at Giginya Barracks, Sokoto, Ajose said the fight against banditry and terrorism was being “progressively and steadily won.”
“Our troops have neutralised several bandit leaders and their foot soldiers. This has led to resumption in farming and other economic activities across the state,” he said, crediting new air assets and combat enablers as key factors in the army’s success.
Ajose assured that the Nigerian Army remains committed to the protection of lives and property and will continue operations until peace is restored.
(Daily trust)
