Communities call for govt intervention as Lakurawa terrorists team up with bandits
Communities in North-West Nigeria are urgently demanding government intervention in the face of alarming reports that the Lakurawa terrorist group has joined forces with local bandits.
Residents are increasingly concerned about the safety of their communities and are calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive action to eradicate both the Lakurawa group and other criminal elements in the region.
This outcry follows a recent attack last Friday, where Lakurawa militants killed two policemen and rustled over 200 cattle in Kebbi State.
These violent acts are particularly unsettling given the claims by Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, that the group had been expelled from the country.
The Lakurawa group, which has connections to terrorist organisations operating in the Sahel region, notably from Mali and Niger Republic, previously attacked the Mera community in Kebbi State in November, resulting in the death of 17 individuals and the theft of numerous cattle.
Reports indicate that the group has established camps in ten Local Government Areas across Sokoto and Bauchi states, posing a significant threat to local communities.
READ ALSO: Lakurawa kills 2 policemen in Kebbi, rustles over 200 cows
Malam Altine Isa, a resident of Isa Local Government, expressed frustration over the ongoing military operations, stating that Lakurawa members continue to collude with various bandit factions, exacerbating the violence and insecurity in the area.
“We know the government and security agents are doing their best, but we need to let them know that these guys are still around. They work with other bandits in large numbers.
“Our prayer is for the government to work with the security agents and deal with these people. Their presence in the bush is causing fear as anything can happen,” he added.
Also confirming the collaboration between Lakurawa and the bandits, a Sokoto-based public analyst, Dr Murtala Rufai, said it was the reason why getting rid of the Lakurawa sect was difficult.
Rufai stated, “They are now working together, both bandits and Lakurawa. Remember, when Lakurawa first came, they used to chase away bandits, but things have changed now. They both realised they have similar motives, hence they are now working together to enlarge their numbers and base. That is one of the reasons it’s difficult for the security agents to get rid of them.”
A Sokoto resident, Malam Yusuf Dingyadi, said there was an increase in terrorist attacks, especially on the Gusau-Sokoto road.
“I can testify to the fact that there is an increase in attacks these days. I was almost a victim on my way from Gusau on Saturday. Whoever tells you that they have chased either Lakurawa or the bandits away is telling lies; they are still attacking our people.
“They now enter into homes along the Maiyanchi road which was not their mode of operation before. So, maybe they now operate together,” Dingyadi stated.
But the Sokoto and Kebbi state governments denied knowledge of any joint collaboration by Lakurawa and bandits in their states.
They assured residents of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity in their respective states.
The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State governor, Col Ahmed Usman (retd.), said the state government was yet to receive such information, adding that the state was working in synergy with the Army, Air Force, and police, among others, to restore peace across the state.
According to him, the newly created Sokoto State Community Guards Corps is also collaborating with security agencies.
“The community guards’ corps is working with the security agencies, they ensure proper information is given to them,” he added.
Also speaking, Ahmed Idris, the spokesman for the Kebbi State Government, explained that the security agents had been mobilised to the areas affected by insecurity.
He stated that Governor Nasir Idris contacted the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, immediately after last Friday’s attack by the Lakurawa in the state.
“The governor, upon being briefed about the incident on Friday, contacted the CDS for air clearance.
“I can tell you categorically that the military responded immediately and cleared the area, killing some of the bandits in the process and recovering about 200 cattle.
“We are also working with the local vigilante group. The state government has empowered them and they are working with the security agents in the best possible way to deal with the suspected criminals.”
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