The Sokoto State Government has expressed concern over the emergence of another criminal group in the state called Lakurawas.
The group who were well armed have been preaching and imposing Shari’ah law in parts of the state.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE had earlier reported about the emergence of the group which were also forcing caning locals for listening to music or shaving beards.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Engineer Idris Gobir, noted that the group was known to be a faith-based idealist.
Speaking while receiving participants of course 33 of the National Defence College Abuja who were on study tour in the state, he said an assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about five local government areas in the state.
According to him, the sad development was happening at the time when the state was being faced by banditry, adding that the threat was expanding but disclosed that the security agencies were working assiduously to stem the emerging threat.
Gobir said the state government has been working closely with federal security agencies to curtail numerous security threats to lives and property of the people in the state.
He expressed hope that the study tour will provide the required insight for the authorities on the nature of the unfolding criminal activities and proffer solutions that would guarantee security of lives and peaceful coexistence among people.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, said the team would make an oral presentation and write a report on their study tour to the state.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Tangaza local government area, Isa Kalenjeni said their youths were being enticed with N1 million to join the group.
Kalenjeni said apart from preaching, members of the group were robbing residents.
“They broke into one shop, robbed the owner of N2 million and snatched his car. He paid another N350,000 before they released it to him,” he said.
