Sokoto communities raise alarm over influx of gunmen

Residents of Sokoto State have raised alarm over the increasing presence of foreign gunmen, known locally as Lakurawa, in their communities.

The gunmen are believed to have migrated from Mali and Niger republics and have established a base in the Tsauna Forest which spans three local government areas in Sokoto State and extends into Niger Republic.

The affected communities include Tsauna and Tunbulukun in Illela LGA,; Bauni, Karma, Munwadata, and Gwaro in Tangaza LGA and Gudungudun in Gwadabawa LGA.

Sources said the gunmen shared a similar ideology with Boko Haram and had been present in the area for over three years.

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They said the foreign gunmen initially allied with the bandits who were terrorising the communities and engaged in a violent conflict with them.

“After defeating many bandits, they indoctrinated the survivors and imposed Shari’ah law on the local communities.

“While they provide protection from bandits, they have also enforced strict laws, including punishing residents for shaving their beards or listening to music,” a resident, who pleaded not to be named, said.

The residents, though predominantly Muslim, said though they were not opposed to Shari’ah law, they objected to the manner in which the law was being imposed by the foreign gunmen, noting that the penalties were excessive and not supported by Islamic teachings.

“The gunmen have not kidnapped or killed locals for ransom, focusing instead on targeting government officials and security personnel. Many of the high-profile attacks on security forces in the region are attributed to them.

“While the communities have reported the situation to the authorities, no decisive action has been taken. One attempt by soldiers resulted in the death of two gunmen, but no follow-up action has occurred since,” a resident said.

The Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Colonel Ahmed Usman (retired), refrained from confirming or denying the gunmen’s presence, stating that the government was working to secure all communities from terrorist threats.

A security source confirmed the presence of the gunmen in the Tsauna Forest, saying, “We have received intelligence report about their presence in Tsauna Forest and we are reviewing the situation. I assure you something will be done in earnest.”

The gunmen were previously dislodged in a 2021 operation by the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services but have since regrouped and returned to the area.

At the time of reporting, the Sokoto State Police Command and the Nigerian Army were yet to provide an responses to inquiries about the situation.