Lakurawa terrorists killed NYSC corps member Abubakar Sadiq and four other worshippers during evening prayers in a Kebbi mosque on Wednesday night.
The attackers struck around 8:30 p.m. on February 25 in Dadin Kowa community, Maiyama Local Government Area.
They surrounded the mosque while worshippers observed Taraweeh prayers and a nighttime Qur’anic Tafsir session, then opened fire indiscriminately.
The assault left five people dead and three others wounded, with survivors rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment.
Abubakar Sadiq had only recently graduated from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto before he began his mandatory national youth service in the area.
Colleagues described the young corps member as dedicated and full of promise, someone who answered the call to serve his country far from home.
The terrorists launched the raid as revenge. Just one day earlier, on February 24, the same group tried to ambush a Nigerian Army convoy near Mayama Hill.
The convoy carried Maj.-Gen. Bemgha Koughna, General Officer Commanding the 8 Division.
Troops repelled the attempt in a fierce gun battle, neutralized several attackers, and seized weapons.
Enraged by the failure, the terrorists turned their guns on defenseless civilians the following evening.
Kebbi State Police spokesperson Bashir Usman confirmed the details in a statement.
He described the mosque attack as a clear reprisal and said police, soldiers, and local vigilantes have already begun joint operations to track down the killers.
“We commiserate with the families and the people of Maiyama,” Usman added.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has triggered an outpouring of grief and anger across Nigeria.
On social media, tributes pour in for Sadiq, with many users repeating the heartbreaking line: “Nigeria failed you, Sadiq.”
The killing has also renewed sharp criticism of the government’s ability to protect corps members posted to insecure zones in the northwest.
In addition, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris visited the devastated community on Thursday to console bereaved families and assure residents that authorities will not rest until the perpetrators face justice.
Furthermore, this incident fits a disturbing pattern.
Lakurawa, officially designated a terrorist organization in 2025 and linked to Islamic State affiliates in the Sahel, has stepped up deadly raids on villages, markets, and now places of worship in Kebbi and neighboring Sokoto State.
Only weeks earlier, the group slaughtered 34 people in coordinated attacks across Arewa Local Government Area.
As security forces intensify patrols and residents bury their loved ones, the latest massacre underscores the urgent need for stronger protection of civilians and national service volunteers caught in the crossfire of escalating terrorism.
