New Terror Group, Lakurawas Takes Control Of 5 LGA’s In Sokoto

A new terrorist group, “Lakurawas,” also known as Mujahidin, has taken over five local government areas of Sokoto State, collecting levies from communities.

It was gathered that the affected local governments are Tangaza, Gada, Illela, Silame, and Binji.

The arm-wielding group, it was learned, communicates in multiple languages, including Hausa, Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Tuba, and English.

Residents said the group arrives in large numbers on motorcycles, leaves some members behind to collect taxes, and forces residents to harvest crops and provide foodstuff, adding that those who refuse to pay face confiscation of their animals.

“We know they are coming because they arrive in large numbers, often on 10 to 15 motorcycles. After observing the environment and community, they will leave some members behind as they move to other towns,” a resident revealed.

Confirming the group’s presence, the Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, said they were forcing people to pay zakat, and at the same time robbing them of their belongings.

“Just recently, they robbed a shop owner of N2 million. They also seized his car and released it after he paid N350,000,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba said that the Lakurawas are affiliated with ISIS in the Sahelian region and exploited Nigeria’s porous borders with Niger and Mali, urging citizens to report suspicious activities.

“This is the same thing that happened when Boko Haram started. But this time, we are out for them from the onset. We are locating them and neutralizing 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,” he said.

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