Gunmen have killed and beheaded the village head of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, with the police confirming the incident and announcing the arrest of some suspects.
The attack occurred on Sunday, according to the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, who confirmed the killing in a text message. The police, however, did not disclose the identity of the deceased traditional ruler.
“Yes, it is true the village head was killed in Lafagu under Bagudo Local Government. We have made some arrests in respect of the incident and will provide details later,” Usman said.
The police spokesman did not immediately provide details about the circumstances surrounding the killing, the number of suspects arrested or the identities of those in custody. He said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
The killing has heightened tension in Lafagu and neighbouring communities, where residents have reportedly faced increasing security concerns linked to cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed violence.
There are conflicting accounts about the identity of the attackers. While the incident was initially reported as an attack by gunmen, findings cited by PUNCH suggested that the killing may have involved an armed ethnic militia rather than bandits or Lakurawa insurgents. The allegation has not been independently established, and the police have not publicly identified the perpetrators.
A community source, Tukur Kaoje, said Fulani, Kambarawa and Bargawa communities had lived together in the area for decades before tensions reportedly escalated over insecurity.
Kaoje alleged that the reported infiltration of some communities by Lakurawa fighters, accused by residents of involvement in cattle rustling and kidnapping, had contributed to growing mistrust among the communities.
He further alleged that some members of the Bargawa and Kambarawa communities subsequently formed armed groups to confront people they suspected of supporting or being associated with the attacks.
Kaoje also alleged that an armed group had recently attacked Boya village, where several Fulani residents were reportedly killed.
He nevertheless acknowledged uncertainty over who was responsible for the Lafagu killing, saying it was not clear whether the attackers were bandits, Lakurawa fighters or members of an armed ethnic militia.
The situation has raised concerns about the possibility of retaliatory attacks and further deterioration of relations between communities in the area.
Kaoje appealed to the government to urgently intervene, warning that continued violence could develop into a wider cycle of communal conflict that would become increasingly difficult to contain.
The police have commenced investigations into the killing, while the arrests made in connection with the incident could provide authorities with information about the circumstances surrounding the attack and those responsible.
The incident also comes amid broader security challenges in parts of north-western Nigeria, where armed groups, kidnapping, cattle rustling and communal tensions have continued to affect rural communities.
For residents of Lafagu and neighbouring areas, the killing of the traditional ruler has further heightened concerns over their safety and the ability of security agencies to prevent attacks.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses, including the identities of the suspects arrested and the circumstances surrounding the death of the village head.
For now, the police have confirmed the killing and arrests but have not attributed responsibility to any particular group. Any claims concerning the identity or motive of the attackers therefore remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
