Gunmen have killed and beheaded the village head of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, with the police confirming the incident and announcing the arrest of suspects.
The attack occurred on Sunday, according to the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, who confirmed the incident in a text message.
Usman did not disclose the identity of the traditional ruler but said investigations were ongoing.
The police spokesman said some suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killing.
He added that the command would release further information as the investigation progresses.
“Yes, it is true the village head was killed in Lafagu under Bagudo Local Government. We have made some arrests in respect of the incident and will provide details later,” Usman said.
The police have not publicly identified the attackers or established a motive for the killing.
Meanwhile, findings by our correspondent indicate that the incident may be connected to an armed ethnic militia operating in the area, although this has not been independently confirmed by the police.
A source, Tukur Kaoje, said the Fulani, Kambarawa and Bargawa communities had coexisted in the area for decades before a recent deterioration in security.
He linked the growing tensions to allegations involving cattle rustling, kidnapping and the reported presence of Lakurawa fighters in some communities.
According to the source, some residents of Bargawa and Kambarawa communities subsequently accused Fulani residents of involvement in attacks and reportedly formed armed groups to confront them.
Kaoje further alleged that an armed group recently attacked Boya village, resulting in the deaths of scores of Fulani residents.
However, the claims about the alleged militia involvement and the Boya attack have not been independently verified.
He said there was uncertainty over the identity of those responsible for the Lafagu killing.
“Yes, the village head was beheaded in Lafagu, but we are not sure whether the killers were bandits or Lakurawa. There are allegations that it was carried out by an armed ethnic militia,” he said.
Kaoje described the security situation in Lafagu and neighbouring communities as tense and called on the government to intervene urgently.
He warned that failure to contain the situation could trigger further retaliatory attacks and deepen communal tensions in the area.
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The latest incident comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of north-western Nigeria, where communities have faced attacks, kidnapping and other forms of armed violence.
The Kebbi State Police Command has not yet attributed the killing to bandits, Lakurawa fighters or any particular ethnic militia.
With suspects already in custody, the outcome of the police investigation is expected to provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the village head’s death and the identity of those responsible.
Authorities are also expected to monitor the situation in Lafagu and neighbouring communities to prevent further violence.