A deadly explosion believed to have been triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) claimed the lives of at least six men and left three women seriously injured in Gwabro village, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The blast, which occurred on Sunday, June 8, 2025, during the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) celebration, has been attributed to the newly emerged Lakurawa terrorist group, a faction that has increasingly gained notoriety in the region.
According to local accounts, the explosion took place while residents observed traditional Sallah customs involving visits to neighboring communities. Tragically, the victims stumbled upon the hidden device during one such visit, resulting in a powerful detonation that immediately killed six male villagers and maimed three women.
Victims Caught in Festive Routine
A community member who witnessed the aftermath of the attack described the situation as a horrifying twist of fate. He explained that the victims were partaking in a well-established Sallah tradition of walking from Gwabro to nearby Zurmuku to greet relatives and neighbors when they unwittingly came into contact with the hidden IED.
“They were just passing through, celebrating the holiday, and probably didn’t even know what they had encountered. One of them may have touched it by accident, and then it exploded,” the source said, still shaken by the carnage.
The bomb detonated around midday on Sunday, a peak time for festive movements. The powerful blast instantly killed six men on the spot. The three women who sustained injuries were immediately transported to the Tangaza General Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment for serious wounds.
Police Confirm the Attack
The Sokoto State Police Command, through its spokesperson ASP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the tragic incident to the press. Rufai reiterated that the authorities believe the IED was intentionally planted by members of the Lakurawa group, who are known for their increasing hostility and violent tactics across rural parts of the state.
Rufai further stated that the site of the explosion has been cordoned off and security operatives are working with local vigilante groups to investigate the extent of the damage and secure surrounding areas to prevent further attacks.
Lakurawa Group’s Growing Terror
This bombing marks another deadly strike in a string of violent incidents attributed to the Lakurawa group, a new but already dangerous entity operating in Sokoto State. Last month, the same group was responsible for a brutal ambush that killed at least 13 local hunters in Hurumi Forest, also located within Tangaza LGA.
The hunters had embarked on a seasonal hunting expedition, a popular annual practice among rural communities in Sokoto. Despite earlier advisories from local leaders warning about the deteriorating security situation in the forest region, the hunters entered the bush armed only with Dane guns and accompanied by their hunting dogs.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the group was ambushed deep inside the forest, a zone now believed to be a stronghold for Lakurawa insurgents. The attackers opened fire on the hunters in a coordinated assault, killing several and forcing others to flee for their lives.
Three bodies were recovered shortly after the incident, while ten others remained missing for several days. Many survivors eventually made it back to their villages, recounting terrifying tales of how they narrowly escaped death.
Communities in Mourning
The ambush left deep scars across several communities in Tangaza and neighboring Gwadabawa LGAs. Among the worst-hit was Kangiye, which lost five of its hunters. Other affected areas included Chancha and Rantijadi (two hunters each), Gidan Kaji and Gandaba Yamma (one each), and Gandaba Gabas (two hunters).
Grief and fear have since enveloped these rural settlements, where residents now live in daily anxiety over potential attacks. Several families have called on both state and federal governments to deploy military units to the region, citing a lack of adequate security presence.
Urgent Calls for Government Action
In the wake of these repeated attacks, community leaders and human rights advocates have called on the Sokoto State government and Nigeria’s federal authorities to take swift action against the Lakurawa insurgents. There have been increasing calls for intensified military operations and intelligence-led interventions aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, especially in forested zones known to harbor these criminals.
Security analysts warn that the Lakurawa group appears to be copying the tactics of other violent non-state actors like Boko Haram and bandits, whose methods include planting IEDs, carrying out ambushes, and terrorizing rural populations.
Local leaders say that without urgent intervention, the group could evolve into a larger security threat, potentially destabilizing the entire North-West region.
Women and Children at Greater Risk
While men have predominantly been the targets of killings during previous incidents, women and children are now increasingly vulnerable. The latest attack’s inclusion of injured female victims signals a disturbing shift in the group’s violence strategy.
“If this trend continues, nobody will be safe. We’ve lost our hunters, and now our women are being injured. We need help,” one community elder in Gwabro lamented during an interview with local journalists.
A Community Under Siege
The people of Tangaza and surrounding LGAs remain on edge, many too afraid to step beyond the borders of their villages. Farming, hunting, and even simple social traditions like Sallah visitations are now considered high-risk activities.
Humanitarian groups operating in Sokoto have expressed concern over the worsening security and the psychological trauma spreading among rural populations. Many families have begun relocating to larger towns and cities in search of safety.
The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has pledged to assist the victims of the Gwabro bombing and those affected by the earlier ambush, but locals say that aid has been slow and insufficient.
The Road Ahead
Nigeria continues to grapple with the menace of terrorism and insecurity, particularly in the northern regions. While federal military campaigns have made gains in the Northeast against Boko Haram and ISWAP, emerging threats like the Lakurawa faction in the Northwest are quickly filling the vacuum.
Security experts say a multi-pronged approach involving community policing, intelligence sharing, and better equipment for local security forces will be crucial in combating this new wave of terror. Furthermore, addressing the root causes of radicalization—such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education—remains critical to long-term peace.
Until then, villagers like those in Gwabro must navigate daily life with fear, never knowing when another explosion might shatter the fragile calm.
