In a disturbing turn of events, gunmen believed to be members of the notorious Lakurawa bandit group launched a brazen attack on a church in Zagani village, located within the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, on the morning of Sunday, May 18, 2025. The armed assailants, who reportedly stormed the church during a worship service, abducted an unspecified number of female congregants and fled the scene before security forces could intervene.
Zagani village, situated just a few kilometers from the volatile border shared with Zamfara State—a region long plagued by insecurity and banditry—has been identified as particularly vulnerable due to its remote location and limited communication infrastructure. This vulnerability appears to have been exploited by the attackers, who executed their operation with precision.
Speaking to Channels Television, the Chairman of Danko-Wasagu LGA, Hussaini Aliyu Bena, confirmed the attack and expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation. According to Bena, the assailants abducted the women and disappeared into the nearby forested terrain. Due to poor telecommunications coverage in the area, authorities have been unable to establish communication with either the victims or potential witnesses, complicating efforts to determine the exact number and identities of those abducted.
“We are yet to get their names due to poor network in the area. So far, no contact has been established with anyone regarding the victims,” Bena said.
The local government chairman also voiced alarm over what he termed a “growing trend” of cross-border banditry. He alleged that many of these criminal groups, particularly those operating out of neighboring Zamfara State, now see Kebbi State as a soft target for raids and abductions.
According to him, this shift in focus may be linked to an alleged ceasefire or informal understanding between some bandit factions and the Zamfara State Government, which has resulted in reduced pressure on them in their traditional strongholds.
Bena further highlighted the challenges the Kebbi State Government has faced in responding to the insecurity. He revealed that while attempts were made in 2024 to deploy military personnel to safeguard vulnerable communities, those efforts were hampered by the onset of the rainy season, which made many rural roads impassable.
However, he confirmed that new arrangements for a major security deployment had been finalized, aiming to fortify border communities and deter further incursions.
He cited recent improvements in security in other affected areas, such as Dan Kade and Yar Tasha, where enhanced military presence has restored relative calm. These interventions have enabled displaced farmers to return to their lands and prompted the closure of several internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps in the region.
While details such as the name of the affected church and the identities of the abducted worshippers remain unavailable, Bena assured that updates will be provided as rescue operations and investigations progress.
In a related statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, confirmed that at least ten worshippers were abducted, and others sustained injuries during the violent attack. Idris emphasized that the state government is working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the victims and prevent future occurrences.
The tragic incident adds to the growing list of abductions and attacks on religious institutions and rural communities across Nigeria’s northwestern region. As calls for improved security intensify, both local leaders and residents hope that the promised deployment of military forces will mark a turning point in the fight against banditry and restore peace to the troubled region.