Armed men believed to belong to the notorious Lakurawa terrorist network swept into Zagami village, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, during Sunday‑morning worship and seized several congregants.
How the attack unfolded
Witnesses say dozens of assailants rode in on motorcycles, ring‑fenced the building and opened fire to sow panic before herding an as‑yet‑unconfirmed number of worshippers into the surrounding forest.
Ezekiel Danjuma, one of the congregants who escaped, told reporters:
“They came in droves, shooting wildly. The church was surrounded within seconds. Some of us slipped out through a rear exit, but many were forced away at gunpoint.”
Impact on Zagami community
Zagami a quiet farming settlement in Kebbi South Senatorial District has been left traumatised. Families spent Sunday night counting the missing while local vigilantes combed nearby bush paths.
The raid is the latest blow to a zone already grappling with banditry across its seven LGAs: Danko/Wasagu, Fakai, Ngaski, Sakaba, Shanga, Yauri and Zuru.
Official response
As of press time security agencies had not issued a formal briefing. Residents, however, are pleading with Governor Nasir Idris and federal security commands to launch an immediate search‑and‑rescue operation and to reinforce patrols around rural churches, markets and schools.
“We need boots on the ground—soldiers, police, anything that will stop these attacks,” a village elder said.
Broader security context
Kebbi, once considered relatively insulated from Nigeria’s north‑west bandit crisis, has seen a surge in abductions since late 2023. Analysts link the escalation to militant factions pushed out of neighbouring Zamfara and Niger states, who are now exploiting the state’s forested borderlands and limited security footprint.
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Rapid deployment of joint military–police units is expected in Danko/Wasagu.
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Community leaders plan a peaceful march in Birnin Kebbi this week to demand sustained security funding.
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Human‑rights groups are urging authorities to prioritise victim support, including trauma counselling for survivors and families of the abducted.
The number of captives and their condition remains unknown. For now, Zagami prays and waits.
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