From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Suspected gunmen from the Lakurawa terrorist group have killed two staff members of Airtel and one resident of Gumki village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
It was gathered that the terrorists invaded the community, located between Nigeria and Niger Republic, after learning that the telecommunication company was installing a surveillance mast in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kebbi State Command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, “On 10/01/2025 at about 20:47 hrs, suspected Lakurawa bandits invaded a construction site at Gumki village, Arewa LGA, a community between Nigeria and Niger Republic, where staff of Airtel Communication Nigeria Ltd were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. As a result, four people lost their lives: one resident and three staff members of the Airtel company.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, alongside the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, CIS Muhammad Bashir Lawali, swiftly mobilised to the scene and evacuated the corpses to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi.
“The CP also reviewed the security architecture of the area, deploying additional tactical teams and charging them to decisively deal with suspected Lakurawa bandits operating in the area.
“CP Bello M. Sani further held a meeting with critical stakeholders in the area, appealing to them to always assist the police and other security agencies with relevant and timely information for prompt response.”