Lakurawa: New terrorist group emerges in 5 Nigerian local governments
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the presence of an armed Islamic group, known as “Lakurawa,” operating in five local government areas of the state.
Police spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, revealed in a statement on Wednesday that the group, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, has been active in Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illela, and one other area.
According to Rufai, the group has been operating in these regions for several years, with the primary aim of imposing their own religious practices on the local population.
“They even target suspected bandits in the region, claiming to be fighting against illegal activities,” Rufai added.
The Sokoto State Government had previously voiced concern over the rise of this new criminal group in the area.
Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, highlighted the issue while meeting with participants of Course 33 from the National Defence College, Abuja, during their study tour of the state.
Gobir said the group was known to be a faith-based idealist.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, revealed that an assessment had confirmed the group’s possession of sophisticated weapons and noted that their criminal activities were spreading across five local government areas in Sokoto.
He lamented that this new threat was emerging at a time when the state was already grappling with banditry.
Gobir emphasised that as the situation escalated, security agencies were intensifying efforts to combat the emerging danger.
“The state government has been collaborating closely with federal security agencies to tackle the various security threats endangering the lives and property of our people,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s proactive measures to address the security challenges, Gobir expressed hope that the National Defence College study tour would offer valuable insights into the growing criminal activities and help identify solutions for ensuring public safety and fostering peaceful coexistence.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Titus Dauda, noted that the National Defence College, established in 1992, is the country’s premier military education institution.
He explained that the college is focused on selecting officers from the military, police, and other strategic agencies to prepare them for leadership roles and responsibilities.
He further noted that the college has graduated a total of 2,982 participants, including individuals from 30 African and Asian countries.
Lakuraw terrorists, currently operating in the villages of Raka, Gwadabawa, and Wurno, are said to be from Mali, Libya, and Niger, where they reside in a forest called ‘Tsauni’.
They are infiltrating villages in Sokoto State and allegedly offering youths 1 million naira each to join their terrorist group.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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