Deputy Governor raises alarm over new armed group in Sokoto State

A new terror sect known as Lakurawa, has emerged in Sokoto State, raising concern as the state battle with a decade of displacement, killings and abductions of citizens by bandits.

The new armed faith-based group is said to be located in five out of the 23 local government areas of the state.

Deputy Governor of the state, Idris Mohammed Gobir, made this known when participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC) Abuja, paid him a courtesy visit in Sokoto.

According to him, Lakurawa is a faith-based group with idealistic views.

“They possesses sophisticated weapons, with criminal activities reported across five local government areas in Sokoto state.

“This unsettling development has emerged at a time when the state is already grappling with persistent banditry,” Gobir added.

He however said security agencies have been working diligently to address the situation as quickly as possible.

“The state government is collaborating closely with federal security agencies to tackle the many threats to the lives and property of the residents of Sokoto state.”

Gobir briefed the team on government’s ongoing efforts to confront the security challenges in Sokoto state and expressed the hope that the team would provide valuable insights on how to effectively manage the situation, ensure safety and peaceful coexistence.

The team leader, Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, explained that the National Defence College was established in 1992 to prepare officers from the military, police, and strategic agencies for high-level responsibilities.

According to him, the college has so far graduated 2,982 participants, including officers from 30 African and Asian countries.

He said that the team would avail the state government of their report at the end of the study tour.