An armed group has reportedly attacked indigenous Christian residents in Ungwan Mato, Kebbi State, Nigeria, leaving one man injured and threatening the community with an ultimatum over its religious identity.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said the attack took place on 9 September in Arewa Local Government Area. Information received by CSW Nigeria from members of the affected community said armed men identified by residents as members of the Lakurawa terrorist group entered the village at about 7.30pm.
The attackers reportedly targeted homes belonging to indigenous Christians and opened fire on some residents. No one was killed, but one victim, Malam Ango Hassan, suffered a large gunshot wound to his right shoulder and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi for treatment.
The attackers also reportedly targeted the local Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) building. According to residents, they intended to set the church on fire but were unable to find petrol, so instead fired bullets at the building. Cattle were also reportedly taken during the attack.
Residents told CSW Nigeria that the armed men issued Christian residents with four choices: pay a tax to remain and continue living in the village, renounce Christianity, leave the community or convert to Islam.
The reported ultimatum has left residents deeply concerned about their safety and uncertain about whether they will be able to continue practising their faith while remaining in their ancestral community.
Lakurawa has previously been described as a hybrid organisation combining religious extremism and organised crime, with militants reportedly coming from Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Mali. The group re-emerged in late 2024 after previously being declared defeated in 2022.
The group has also been targeted by US airstrikes. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said an airstrike on 24 December 2025 killed multiple ISIS terrorists.
The reported attack in Ungwan Mato came as Nigerian security forces were carrying out operations elsewhere in the north-west. Operation Fansan Yamma, the Joint Task Force North-West, reported operational successes in several areas, including the rescue of 21 kidnapped people from Fafala village in the Kangiwa area of Kebbi State on 14 September.
CSW Founder President Mervyn Thomas expressed concern for the residents of Ungwan Mato and called on Nigerian state and federal authorities to extend security operations to protect the community.
He also said that addressing the wider threat posed by Lakurawa would require cooperation between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, including members of the Alliance of Sahel States.
Based on reporting and information from CSW.
