Kehinde Fajobi
A newly emerged terrorist group, known as “Lakurawas” or Mujahidin, has reportedly taken control over five local government areas in Sokoto State, Nigeria, compelling residents to pay zakat and other levies, Vanguard reports.
Sources indicate the group is active in Tangaza, Gada, Illela, Silame, and Binji local governments, where they have also been seizing livestock and goods from those who resist payment.
The group, heavily armed and communicating in Hausa, Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Tuba, and English, typically arrives in large numbers on motorcycles, leaving some members behind to collect taxes and secure food provisions.
A resident explained, “They arrive in large numbers, often on 10 to 15 motorcycles. After observing the environment, they leave some members behind as they move to other towns.”
Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, confirmed these activities, stating, “They are forcing people to pay zakat and at the same time robbing them of their belongings.
“Just recently, they robbed a shop owner of ₦2 million, seized his car, and returned it only after he paid ₦350,000.”
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, described the Lakurawas group as aligned with ISIS elements in the Sahel region.
He attributed their presence in Nigeria to the country’s porous borders with Niger and Mali and urged citizens to report unusual activities.
“This is the same thing that happened when Boko Haram started,” he warned. “But this time, we are out for them from the onset. We are locating and neutralising them. The lesson here is if you see strange people, say something.”
General Buba noted that the group has exploited border gaps worsened by recent political unrest in Niger.
“They exploited the vast borders from Niger Republic, stretching to Mali, and crossed into parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states due to gaps in joint border operations with Nigerian security forces. Now we know exactly where they are,” he stated.