A new terror group, operating in Sokoto State, has reportedly been enticing youths with ₦1 million to join in the gang’s destructive activities.
The Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Alhaji Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, disclosed this on Monday, saying the foreign-based armed religious group has taken foothold in five local governments in the state.
Kalenjeni disclosed this at the reception of Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a study tour in the state.
Revealing the identity of the group locally known as Lakuwarawa, he said the gang migrated from Libya, Mali and Niger Republic and took abode inside Tsauni forest.
According to Daily Trust, Kalenjeni also said the Lakuwarawa has “launched one of the deadliest attacks in the area that resulted in the killing of four soldiers on patrol along Gudu road recently.
“They are forcing people to pay Zakkat and at the same time robbing people of their belongings. Just recently, they robbed a shop owner of ₦2 million. They also seized his car and released it after he paid ₦350,000.”
The Tangaza Council Chairman said the group stole four motorcycles in Balle, the headquarters of Gudu LGA, lamenting that bandits have also joined forces with the terror group.
“They usually come to our communities during the day and go back to the forest in the night. They also have drones which they use in monitoring the movement of security operatives,” Kalenjeni said.
The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Engr. Idris Gobir, who received Course 33 of the National Defence College, reportedly confirmed Kalenjen’s account.
Gobir said an “assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about 5 LGAs of the state.“
