AdminResidents in five local government areas in Sokoto State now live in fear as a new terrorist group known as “Lakurawas,” has taken over the areas.
According to reports, members of the terrorist sect are collecting different forms of levies from communities.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMembers of the heavily armed group are said to be speaking different languages, including Fulani, Hausa, Kanuri, Tuba, English, and Tuareg.
The affected local governments are Tangaza, Gada, Illela, Silame, and Binji.
Residents lamented that apart from collecting levies, the criminal group, who move on motorbikes in large numbers, also force them to harvest crops and supply food. Animals belonging to those who refuse to pay risk being seized.
The Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State Command, and the Defence Headquarters have confirmed the presence of the group.
In a media briefing, Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba stated that the Lakurawas took advantage of Nigeria’s open borders with Niger and Mali.
General Buba, who disclosed that they were connected to ISIS in the Sahelian region, called on the public to report any suspicious activity.
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According to hime, the group’s emergence is similar to that if Boko Haram, but this time, the security agencies are ever ready to tackle them.
“We are locating them and neutralising them. The lesson to learn from this is if you see strange people, say something. Report to the authorities. Don’t just assume until it gets out of hand.
“They exploited the vast borders from Niger Republic which stretches to Mali and which became porous as a result of the coup in Niger Republic to cross into parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states because the joint border operations with Nigerian security forces were experiencing gaps. Now we know exactly where they are,” General Buba added.
