Sokoto State government has raised the alarm over the emergence of a new criminal group known as Lakurawas, in the state.
The state deputy governor, Idris Mohammed Gobir, expressed concern about the group while hosting participants of Course 33 from the National Defence College, Abuja, on a study tour in the state.
Gobir described Lakurawas as, “a faith-based group with idealistic views. They possess sophisticated weapons, with criminal activities reported across five local government areas in Sokoto.
“This unsettling development has emerged at a time when the state is already grappling with persistent banditry.”
As the threat posed by the Lakurawas group grows, the deputy governor affirmed that security authorities are working diligently to address it.
“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,” he said.
Gobir outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to confront these security challenges and expressed hope that the study tour would provide valuable insights for effectively managing the situation and ensuring the safety and peaceful coexistence of the people.
Head of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, explained that the National Defence College, established in 1992 as Nigeria’s premier military education institution, is dedicated to preparing officers from the military, police, and strategic agencies for high-level responsibilities.
According to him, the college has graduated 2,982 participants to date, including officers from 30 African and Asian countries.
He added that upon concluding the study tour, the team would present both oral and written reports on their findings to the state.
