COMMUNITIES in the North-West have called for urgent action against the Lakurawa terrorist group following reports that the sect have aligned with bandits in the region.
Worried by the development, the communities admonished the Federal Government and security agents to eliminate the Lakurawa group and other criminals.
Last Friday, the group killed two policemen and rustled over 200 cattle in Kebbi State.
This happened despite the claim by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, that the group had been dislodged from the country.
The Lakurawa group, affiliated with terrorists in the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger Republic, had earlier launched an attack on the Mera community in Kebbi State last November in which 17 persons were killed and scores of cattle stolen.
This newspaper reported that the terror group set up camps in 10 Local Government Areas of Sokoto and Bauchi states while spreading terror to various communities.
Mallam Altine Isa, a resident of Isa Local Government, said Lakurawa members were collaborating with other bandit groups to wreak havoc on communities in the state despite the ongoing military operation to dislodge them.
“We know the government and security agents are doing their best, but we need to let them know that these guys are still around. They work with other bandits in large numbers.
“Our prayer is for the government to work with the security agents and deal with these people. Their presence in the bush is causing fear as anything can happen,” he added.
Also confirming the collaboration between Lakurawa and the bandits, a Sokoto-based public analyst, Dr Murtala Rufai, said it was the reason why getting rid of the Lakurawa sect was difficult.
Rufai stated, “They are now working together, both bandits and Lakurawa. Remember, when Lakurawa first came, they used to chase away bandits, but things have changed now. They both realised they have similar motives, hence they are now working together to enlarge their numbers and base. That is one of the reasons it’s difficult for the security agents to get rid of them.”
A Sokoto resident, Mallam Yusuf Dingyadi, said there was an increase in terrorist attacks, especially on the Gusau-Sokoto road.
“I can testify to the fact that there is an increase in attacks these days. I was almost a victim on my way from Gusau on Saturday. Whoever tells you that they have chased either Lakurawa or the bandits away is telling lies; they are still attacking our people.
“They now enter into homes along the Maiyanchi road which was not their mode of operation before. So, maybe they now operate together,” Dingyadi stated.
But the Sokoto and Kebbi state governments denied knowledge of any joint collaboration by Lakurawa and bandits in their states.
They assured residents of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity in their respective states.
The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State governor, Col Ahmed Usman (retd.), said the state government was yet to receive such information, adding that the state was working in synergy with the Army, Air Force, and police, among others, to restore peace across the state.
According to him, the newly created Sokoto State Community Guards Corps is also collaborating with security agencies.
“The community guards’ corps is working with the security agencies, they ensure proper information is given to them,” he added.
Also speaking, Ahmed Idris, the spokesman for the Kebbi State Government, explained that the security agents had been mobilised to the areas affected by insecurity.
He stated that Governor Nasir Idris contacted the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, immediately after last Friday’s attack by the Lakurawa in the state.
“The governor, upon being briefed about the incident on Friday, contacted the CDS for air clearance.
“I can tell you categorically that the military responded immediately and cleared the area, killing some of the bandits in the process and recovering about 200 cattle.
“We are also working with the local vigilante group. The state government has empowered them and they are working with the security agents in the best possible way to deal with the suspected criminals.”