At least 40 members of the outlawed Lakurawa terrorist group have reportedly been killed, while several others sustained injuries following a joint operation by Nigerian troops and local vigilantes in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The operation reportedly took place on Sunday in Gwalli village, following an earlier letter allegedly sent by the terrorist group to the community announcing plans to hold a religious preaching, or da’wah, gathering.
Sources said a combined team comprising soldiers, hybrid Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and local vigilantes confronted the fighters during the operation, inflicting heavy casualties on the group.
“From available information, Lakurawa terrorists met their Waterloo this morning when a combined team of troops, hybrid CJTF and vigilantes confronted them. More than 40 fighters were killed, and several others wounded,” a source said.
A security researcher separately put the death toll at no fewer than 38, saying the fighters were killed by the joint security team in Gwalli village.
“Lakurawa had boldly sent a letter to the community announcing its intention to carry out da’wah. This is one of the heaviest casualties inflicted on the group in recent times,” the researcher said.
The reported operation is believed to represent a significant setback for the Lakurawa group in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had yet to officially disclose details of the operation or confirm the number of casualties.
