The Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Kalenjini, narrowly escaped a suspected assassination attempt on Wednesday morning after armed militants believed to be members of the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP), locally known as Lakurawa, launched a surprise attack on his hometown, Kalenjini.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community shortly after the chairman had left his residence, leading to widespread suspicion that he was the main target. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.
The precise timing of the attack, just minutes after Chairman Kalenjini departed his home, has raised concerns that the operation was well-planned and targeted.
A local resident who witnessed the incident but asked not to be named said, “It looked like they knew his movements. They came not long after he left. If he had stayed just a few minutes longer, they might have killed him.”
While no lives were lost in the Wednesday attack, several animals were rustled. Security forces quickly responded and began a pursuit of the attackers, who retreated into the nearby Tangaza forest.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufa’i, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said a joint security team was deployed to chase the attackers and secure the area.
“Some of the rustled animals have been recovered following the gunmen’s retreat into the forest,” Rufa’i noted. He also assured the public that law enforcement would continue to monitor the area and work to restore calm.
Efforts to reach Chairman Isa Kalenjini for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
The Kalenjini assault is the second deadly incident in Tangaza LGA within 48 hours. On Tuesday, April 22, armed men also believed to be Lakurawa militants invaded Saminaka village, unleashing terror on the community.
During that attack, a resident identified as Salihu Isiyaku Hamza was killed by the gunmen, who also made away with a large number of livestock, including cattle, camels, and sheep. The attackers reportedly fled towards Gohono forest, a known hideout for bandits and insurgents operating in the region.
Hamza was buried later that day according to Islamic rites, as family members and villagers gathered to mourn the loss.
The group suspected of carrying out both attacks, known locally as Lakurawa, is believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP). The ISSP is an offshoot of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which itself broke away from the Boko Haram insurgency group in 2016.
The ISSP has become more active in recent years, particularly in border regions between Nigeria and Niger. Their attacks typically target rural communities, security personnel, and government officials. Livestock rustling, kidnapping, and killings have become common tactics used to fund their operations and instill fear.
The United States and several international security agencies have designated the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) as a terrorist organization.
Following the twin attacks in Kalenjini and Saminaka, residents of Tangaza Local Government Area have expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security situation. Some have begun fleeing their communities for safer areas, while others are calling on the government to take urgent action.
“This is the second attack in two days. We are no longer safe in our own villages,” said Musa Bala, a resident of Saminaka. “We need soldiers, not just police. These people are heavily armed.”
Community leaders have also echoed these concerns, urging the federal and state governments to increase military presence in the area and invest in long-term security strategies.
Security analysts believe the pattern of recent attacks indicates a growing boldness among armed militants in the region. They warn that unless proactive steps are taken, more local government areas could come under sustained attacks.
“The attack on a local government chairman’s hometown is a serious escalation. It shows that these groups are targeting political figures and structures of authority,” said Idris Mohammed, a security consultant based in Kaduna.
He added that restoring confidence in government will require more than just reactive measures. “The people need to see consistent security operations, not just when an attack happens,” he said.
Locals are now calling for a full military operation to clear out the Tangaza and Gohono forests, believed to be strongholds for armed groups. Residents argue that the area has become a hub for criminal activity, with little resistance from the state.
“Bandits have turned our forests into their base. If the government doesn’t act now, they will take over our villages completely,” said one community elder.
Tangaza LGA shares a border with the Republic of Niger, making it a strategic entry point for militants moving across the Sahel region. The porous border, lack of proper surveillance, and insufficient coordination between Nigerian and Nigerien authorities have all contributed to the rise in cross-border attacks.
