The Sokoto State Government has alerted the public to the presence of a newly identified terrorist group in the state, known as “Lakurawas.”
This development was announced by the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Idris Gobir, during a visit by Course 33 participants of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a study tour in Sokoto.
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Gobir described the group as having “faith-based ideals” and stated that assessments revealed the group’s possession of advanced weaponry. He disclosed, “Assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about five local government areas of the state.”
This emergence of the Lakurawas group, Gobir noted, comes amid ongoing challenges with banditry across the region. He emphasized that the state government is collaborating closely with federal security agencies to mitigate threats to lives and property, saying, “The state government has been working closely with Federal Security Agencies to address numerous security threats to lives and properties of the people of the state.”
Gobir also highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to address security issues and expressed optimism that the visit by the National Defence College participants would contribute valuable insights. He hoped the study tour would aid in crafting solutions that enhance security and peaceful coexistence within the state.
In response, Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, who led the delegation, explained that the National Defence College, established in 1992, serves as Nigeria’s highest military institution. “The college is dedicated to selecting officers from the military, police, and strategic agencies to prepare them for strategic responsibilities,” he said. “The college has so far graduated 2,982 participants. Among them are many from 30 African and Asian countries.”
Dauda noted that the delegation would deliver an oral presentation and a written report on their findings from the Sokoto tour, which aims to assist in understanding and addressing the security challenges in the region.
