Terrorists give ultimatum to indigenous Christians in Kebbi State

CSW has learned of a terrorist attack which took place on 9 September and targeted indigenous Christians from the Ungwan Mato community in Arewa Local Government Area (LGA), Kebbi State, Nigeria.

According to information received by CSW Nigeria (CSWN) from members of the affected community, armed men identified by residents as being members of the Lakurawa terrorist group entered the village at around 7.30pm, targeted homes belonging to indigenous Christians, and shot at some of the residents, although none were killed. One of the victims, Malam Ango Hassan, was subsequently taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi, where he received treatment for a large bullet wound in his right shoulder.

The terrorists wanted to burn down the local Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) church building, but could not locate any petrol, and sprayed the building with bullets instead. They also looted cattle.

Residents informed CSWN that the terrorists had given Christian residents an ultimatum with four options: pay a tax in order to remain and continue functioning in the village, renounce Christianity, leave the community, or convert to Islam.

The ultimatum has caused consternation among the residents, who are at a loss as to what to do, and fear greatly for their safety and for their continuing ability to practice their faith while remaining in their ancestral community.

The Lakurawa terrorist faction has been described as being ‘a hybrid organisation that combines religious extremism with organised crime’ and includes militants from Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of Niger, and Mali. The terrorist faction, which re-emerged in late 2024 having been declared defeated in 2022, has been the target of sporadic US airstrikes following an initial strike on 24 December 2025 which the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) reported had killed ‘multiple ISIS terrorists’.

Reports of the ultimatum delivered to the villagers of Ungwan Mato emerged amid news that the Joint Task Force North-West (Operation Fansan Yamma) recorded major operational breakthroughs across northwestern sectors, including securing the release of 21 kidnapped victims from Fafala village in the Kangiwa area of Kebbi State on 14 September.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW is highly concerned for the residents of Ungwan Mato who have been presented with an impossible and unjust ultimatum. While congratulating Operation Fansan Yamma on its rescue of victims in Kangiwa, we urge both state and federal authorities to ensure that the operations of the Joint Task Force are extended as a matter of urgency to include the protection of the residents of Ungwan Mato. Ungoverned spaces must be reclaimed from violent insurgents as a matter of urgency. However, combatting the transnational threat posed by Lakurawa effectively and definitively will only be achieved in genuine cooperation with neighbouring countries, including those in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).’