Lakurawa Attack: NEMA, Sokoto SEMA Visit IDP Camps To Assess Displacement Impact

Following the tragic attack on July 1, 2025, in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State, officials of the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have conducted a joint assessment tour of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and temporary settlements in the affected communities.

The assessment was to evaluate the humanitarian situation, particularly the living conditions and urgent needs of the displaced population. It was also aimed to determine the number of displaced persons, assess the scope of the crisis, and plan for immediate relief interventions including food, shelter, medical support and security assistance.

The visit, coordinated by Jamilu Muhammad, Sokoto SEMA desk officer, included direct engagements with displaced persons taking refuge at Sardaunan Tangaza Model School.

The survivors confirmed that the attack took place on July 1, while many residents were on their farms.

According to eyewitnesses, the Lakurawa armed group launched a coordinated assault on Kwalajiya village, killing 15 people, mostly male heads of households.

Survivors said that numerous homes and shops were set ablaze. The victims whose property were destroyed included Liman Awwali, Mai Tangaza Dan Farauta, Gali Manu, Hambali Ibrahim and Magaji Ibrahim (Hakimin Garin Kwalajiya).

The estimated financial losses for their property amounted to N3,200, N1,300, N900, 000, N150,000, and N170,000, respectively.

Other property destroyed by the bandits included three rooms belonging to Tankon Ada, three rooms owned by Musan Ta Ayya, a room belonging to Awwali Noma, and one room belonging to Tsahara Dan Tangaza.

A house belonging to Abdullahi Maishayi, who was killed in the attack, was also burnt down by the armed group.

The assessment at Sardaunan Tangaza Model School revealed the presence of 412 households displaced from Kwalajiya Village, 26 households from Talba Village and 48 households from the nearby settlements.

Although, Kwalajiya was the only village directly attacked, residents from Talba and Fasnaki fled to the camp out of fear of further attacks by the Lakurawa group.

Separately, another 72 households from Ayama were reported to be residing in an IDP settlement located in a private residence within the area.

In all, 486 households from Kwalajiya, Talba, and Fasnaki, along with 72 households from Ayama, sought refuge in IDP camps and settlements in Tangaza LGA.

The joint SEMA-NEMA team expressed deep sympathy with the victims and assured them that efforts were underway to mobilise both emergency relief and long-term support for the displaced communities.

During the visit, it was observed that two functional boreholes were serving the IDP camp at Sardaunan Tangaza Model School. However, the team noted a critical lack of shelter, food, and non-food items, posing significant risks to the health and wellbeing of the displaced persons.

Those that accompanied the assessment team were officials from  Tangaza council, including Ibrahim K. Usman, vice chairman of Tangaza LGA, Malam Armiya’u Abdullahi, district head of Tangaza and Malam Shehu Muhammad Gidadawa, the district head of Gongono.