Armed militants kill 30 people during prayer in Sokoto state, Nigeria

Armed militants attacked the village of Ugushi in the Sokoto state of northwestern Nigeria during Friday prayers last week, resulting in the deaths of approximately 30 people. Samsudine Mai Akuai, secretary of the local Kembe council, stated that the attackers were militants from the Lakurawa group, which is believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State in the Sahel (IS Sahel). The assailants utilized advanced weaponry to conduct the strike while the victims were occupied with worship.

Local residents and officials indicate that the attack followed the recent deaths of four individuals in the area. This incident occurs within the context of a prolonged security crisis in northern Nigeria, which is frequently targeted by jihadist organizations and criminal gangs known locally as bandits who operate primarily for financial gain. The Lakurawa group, associated with the violence, is also known to be active in neighboring Mali and Niger, further highlighting the regional scale of the extremist threat.