Suspected Lakurawa fighters invade Niger community, preach radical ideologies

Suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group on Sunday reportedly stormed the Zugurma community in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, where they gathered residents and delivered a sermon promoting radical ideologies.

Zugurma is located on the fringes of the Kainji Lake National Park.

Residents said the heavily armed men, dressed in military camouflage and turbans, arrived at about 3 p.m. on approximately 30 motorcycles.

A resident, who spoke with Premium Times on condition of anonymity, said he encountered the group near a bridge linking Hayin Kambari and Hayin Hausawa while returning from a trip.

“I wanted to film them, but I couldn’t because I was on a motorcycle,” he said.

The source added that the attackers split into two groups upon arrival, with one stationed around the bridge and the other advancing into the main settlement.

A community leader told the newspaper that many residents initially fled upon sighting the armed men but later returned after being assured the group’s mission was limited to preaching.

“They said they only came to preach to people and nothing more,” the leader said, noting that he did not attend the gathering.

Residents who attended the session said the sermon was held at a small mosque on Mallam Dugu Street in Hayin Kambari.
One attendee disclosed that the group entered the area on 14 motorcycles, with two riders on each bike, except one carrying a machine gun and its operator.

“Only one of them entered the mosque; the others stayed outside with us,” the resident said.
Witnesses said the preacher addressed issues including unbelief, smoking, theft, and the recurring farmers-herders conflict in the area.

He reportedly accused some Fulani herders of encroaching on farmlands and destroying crops, vowing that the group would intervene in such cases.

“He said they would step in whenever herders damaged farmers’ crops,” a resident recounted.

The preacher also allegedly issued threats against individuals involved in criminal activities.

“He warned that their group would punish or kill thieves and said anyone caught smoking would be flogged,” the resident added.

According to witnesses, the sermon lasted about 40 minutes and was met with applause from some attendees.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the growing presence and influence of suspected Lakurawa fighters in parts of northwestern and north-central Nigeria, despite ongoing security efforts to curb their activities.