Deadly attacks on terrorist groups have left more than 60 people dead in northwestern Nigeria, according to local religious sources.
These armed men attacked Niger again on Tuesday, killing 20 people in the village of Erena, in the Shiroro district. On Sunday, at least nine villages in Kebbi State and the neighboring state of Niger were targeted by the terrorists. Authorities attribute these deadly raids to a bandit group known as Mahmuda, allied with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The attackers set fire to churches, homes, livestock, and food supplies.
Faced with insecurity, at least 500 people have fled to the town of Yauri in Kebbi State, where they have sought refuge in churches and schools. The Mahmuda group is believed to be linked to Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior leader of the Ansaru group.
The latter broke away from Boko Haram before allying itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Faced with the resurgence of attacks, President Bola Tinubu ordered the deployment of soldiers and police officers to this northwestern region.
