Police: New terrorist group ‘Lakurawa’ operating in five Sokoto LGAs

The Sokoto police command says an armed group identified as ‘Lakurawa’ is operating in five LGAs of the state.

Ahmed Rufai, police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the development to PUNCH.

Rufai said members of the group wield sophisticated weapons and operate in Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illeila, and one other LGA. 

“They have been in those areas for some years now. They are armed with weapons and part of their agenda is to impose their own kind of religious practice on the people,” he said.

“They even attack suspected bandits in the areas, according to information available to us. They claim to be working against illegalities.”

On November 5, Idris Gobir, the deputy governor of the state, raised concerns over the emergence of a criminal group in the state.

Gobir said the group is faith-based, adding that security agencies were working to address the threats.

“An assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about five local government areas in the state,” Gobir said.

“The sad development is happening at a time the state is grappling with banditry.

“The state government has been working closely with federal security agencies to address numerous security threats to lives and properties of the people of the state.”

‘THEY CAME FROM NIGER REPUBLIC’

The defence headquarters has also confirmed the emergence of the group in north-western Nigeria.

Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, briefed the press on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the new terror group emerged from Niger Republic after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and the neighbouring country.

He said the terrorists began making inroads into Sokoto and Kebbi states from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic.

Buba added that before the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorists at bay.

“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some north-western states to spread their ideology,” he said.

Buba said the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought the sect meant well, adding that they failed to report the movement to the security agencies.

He assured that troops had sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to “degrade the terrorists”.

The spokesperson said the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.