The Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State Command, has confirmed the presence of an armed Islamic group, “Lakurawas,” operating in several local government areas of the state.
The group, which has been active in the region for several years, is believed to be imposing its religious ideology through violent means, authorities said.
In a statement to reporters on Wednesday, the police spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, disclosed that the group had been operating in Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illeila, and another unnamed local government area.
The “Lakurawas” group is reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons and aims to enforce its religious practices on the local population by force.
According to Rufai, they have been engaged in violent activities, including attacking suspected bandits in the area, claiming to fight against illegalities.
“These individuals have been in those areas for several years, and their agenda is clear – to impose their own kind of religious practice on the people. They are armed and have taken it upon themselves to attack anyone they deem a threat to their mission,” Rufai explained.
The emergence of this new group, believed to have roots in a religious ideology, is causing growing concern for the Sokoto State government, which is already grappling with a rising tide of banditry and other security challenges.
The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, voiced his concerns while addressing participants of the National Defence College’s Course 33, during their study tour in Sokoto on the state of security in the region.
Gobir revealed that the group had been reported to possess sophisticated weapons, and their criminal activities were being carried out across multiple local government areas.
He pointed out that the group’s emergence comes at a time when Sokoto State is already facing significant challenges from bandits operating in the region.
“An assessment carried out indicated that the group possesses sophisticated weapons, and their activities have been observed in five local government areas. This is occurring while the state continues to battle the ongoing menace of banditry,” Gobir said.
He further emphasized that the state government was working closely with federal security agencies to address this new threat, alongside the ongoing fight against banditry and other security issues.
The Deputy Governor also expressed hope that the National Defence College delegation would offer valuable insights into the situation and assist in finding solutions to address the growing security concerns in Sokoto.
The government is hoping to build stronger strategies to ensure the safety and peaceful coexistence of the state’s residents.
The issue of security in Sokoto State has been compounded by the activities of various armed groups, including bandits, who have terrorized the region for years.
The emergence of groups like the “Lakurawas” further complicates an already dire situation, with security authorities facing significant challenges in curbing these violent activities.
As the Sokoto State government and federal agencies intensify their efforts to address the new threat, local residents remain on edge, with many hoping that swift action will be taken to ensure their safety and protect the region from further violence.
The National Defence College, established in 1992, has been instrumental in preparing military, police, and strategic officers for leadership roles, with many participants from various African and Asian countries.
The delegation’s visit to Sokoto aims to assess the security landscape and assist in formulating solutions to the escalating violence in the state.
