Three people have been killed and a police inspector injured in violence along the Besse/Shanga riverine axis of Kebbi State following rumours of cattle rustling and a possible attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists.
The violence reportedly triggered the displacement of residents from affected communities in Koko-Besse Local Government Area after the mobilisation of local vigilantes, popularly known as Yan Sakai, and subsequent reprisal attacks.
The Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this during a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Tuesday while reacting to a viral video showing residents fleeing their communities towards Koko town over alleged terrorist attacks.
According to Usman, the crisis began with rumours that suspected Lakurawa terrorists had rustled cattle and were planning an imminent attack on communities in the area. The rumours reportedly prompted the mobilisation of Yan Sakai vigilantes across several villages.
“On 22/10/2026, heavily armed Yan Sakai stormed Samanaji Market, killed three Fulani, injured three others and injured a Police Inspector who was deployed with Police teams to restore peace,” Usman said.
He explained that the subsequent displacement of residents followed reprisal attacks in Karwa, Tunga Hako and Buma villages, where several Fulani settlements were reportedly burnt.
“The present displacement is an offshoot of subsequent reprisal showdowns across Karwa, Tunga Hako and Buma villages where several Fulani settlements were burnt,” the police spokesperson stated.
Usman said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, had deployed additional police personnel and joint security teams to the affected communities to prevent further violence and restore calm.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, has since deployed additional Police and joint security teams to dominate the space and prevent further escalation, while investigation is ongoing,” he added.
The command urged residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of worsening the security situation.
“Residents are urged to remain calm and disregard unverified narratives,” Usman said.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of residents along the Besse/Shanga riverine axis, particularly those fleeing their homes following the reported attacks and destruction of settlements.
However, the police command did not disclose the number of people displaced or provide details of the extent of damage caused by the violence.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, while security personnel have been deployed to prevent further escalation and protect affected communities.
