Gunmen Slaughter 20 in Kebbi

By Palang Paul

At least 20 people were confirmed killed in a devastating raid by suspected bandits on the Fesken Rafi community in the Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The massacre,which has left the local population in deep mourning, highlights the escalating security challenges sweeping through the region.

According to local reports emerging from the area, the assailants stormed the rural farming settlement heavily armed, firing indiscriminately at residents as they slept. In addition to the loss of life, the attack left several others injured and resulted in the mass displacement of villagers who are currently fleeing to neighboring towns to escape further violence.

The unending wave of violence has sparked widespread outrage across the country, renewing demands for the federal government under President Bola Tinubu to secure vulnerable rural communities. Human rights groups have continually criticized the state’s security strategies, urging the authorities to uphold their constitutional obligation to protect lives and hold perpetrators accountable.

In response to the tragedy, a high-powered delegation from the Kebbi State Government—led by Deputy Governor Umar Tafida—visited the grieving community on Saturday. During the condolence visit, Tafida expressed deep sorrow over the incident and condemned the killings.

“We share in your grief and remain committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kebbi State,” the Deputy Governor assured the surviving residents. To forestall further attacks and restore normalcy to the area, the state government announced that additional security personnel and emergency operational resources are being deployed to the affected districts.

Despite these governmental assurances, locals remain terrified. The Fesken Rafi killings come amid a broader regional security crisis, which has seen armed groups and extremist factions like Lakurawa repeatedly terrorize vulnerable border communities across the Northwest and North-Central zones.

For survivors of this latest massacre, the deployment of troops offers a desperate hope for safety, even as they grapple with the trauma of another devastating loss.