Several military and police personnel, alongside civilians, were reportedly killed on Tuesday night following a deadly ambush by gunmen in Giro Masa community, located in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
While the exact number of casualties among security operatives remains unclear, local sources confirmed that at least two community members lost their lives in the attack, which has further heightened fears among residents of the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the assailants had been moving within the community and its surroundings before being traced to a construction company yard.
Acting on intelligence provided by residents, security forces were deployed to intercept the attackers. However, they were ambushed before reaching their destination.
During the assault, the gunmen reportedly opened fire on the advancing security team and set two military gun trucks ablaze, intensifying the scale of destruction and chaos.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scene as terrifying. “The gunmen came into our village and were heading towards the construction company yard. We alerted security personnel, but they were ambushed,” the source said.
Another eyewitness recounted the panic that gripped the community as the attack unfolded. “People were running in all directions as the gunmen fired at the soldiers and set the trucks on fire,” the resident added.
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As of the time of filing this report, security authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The attack underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Kebbi, particularly in rural communities like Shanga, where residents have faced sporadic violence in recent years.
Armed groups have increasingly targeted both civilians and security forces, often carrying out ambushes along highways or in remote settlements.
Despite repeated joint operations by security agencies, efforts to curb such attacks have been hindered by difficult terrain, limited intelligence, and the mobility of armed groups, who frequently retreat into forested or inaccessible areas.
For residents of Giro Masa and neighbouring communities, the latest attack is a grim reminder of the persistent insecurity that continues to disrupt daily life and threaten livelihoods.