SUSPECTED Lakurawa gunmen have attacked the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing three persons and injuring two others.
This is just as another group attacked communities in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and killed a humanitarian worker and a police inspector.
In Kebbi, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the victims included two security personnel and a foreign national working on the road project, while two civilians sustained gunshot injuries.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed that the attack occurred at Gubba village, through Andarai District of Maiyama Local Government Area.
Usman said gunmen, suspected to be Lakurawa terrorists, encroached from Kebbi axis of neighbouring Sokoto State, attacked the construction site, killing two security personnel and the foreign national.
He added that two civilians were injured in the attack and were subsequently evacuated for medical attention.
The police spokesperson noted that, on the same day, another attack by the suspected terrorists along the Birnin Malam axis was repelled by police teams.
He said joint security forces responded to the attacks, with tactical teams deployed to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.
The PPRO further disclosed that scores of the attackers were killed by military personnel, while several motorcycles were recovered.
Following the incident, construction activities at the affected site have been suspended as security agencies intensify surveillance and deploy additional personnel to the area.
The PPRO assured workers on the project of government’s commitment to their safety, urging them to remain calm as security agencies continue efforts to safeguard their lives and property.
In the Sokoto incident, the victims were a humanitarian worker, Ms Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo, and a policeman.
Nwankwo was a field operations professional and was in the course of her work when she was reportedly ambushed alongside members of her team while returning from field operations in Kajiji community on Tuesday.
Her sister, Chisom Nwankwo, confirmed the incident in a Facebook post on Thursday, while announcing her death.
According to Chisom, Nwankwo and her colleagues came under heavy gunfire, as the gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, killing her instantly.
Her colleagues described her as a dedicated professional committed to providing assistance to vulnerable communities in hard-to-reach areas.
The state police command also confirmed the death of the police inspector.
The PPRO, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Shagari Local Government had briefed the command headquarters of the incident.
Rufai, however, said the command was still gathering information and could not immediately provide full details.
He said: ‘I just spoke with the DPO in charge of Shagari now, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government. We are still on it. I cannot give details now until I gather my information about the incident. I will get back to you on it.’