The Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State Command, has confirmed the presence of an armed Islamic group called “Lakurawas” in about five local government areas of the state.

The spokesman of the command, Ahmed Rufai, stated this while speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday.

He said the group, armed with sophisticated weapons, had been operating in Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illeila, and one other local government areas to impose its beliefs on the populace.

“They have been in those areas for some years now. They are armed with weapons and part of their agenda is to impose their own kind of religious practice on the people.

“They even attack suspected bandits in the area as, according to information available to us, they claim to be working against illegalities,” he said.

The Sokoto State government had earlier expressed concern over the emergence of another criminal group in the state.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, disclosed this while receiving participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a study tour in the state.

Gobir said the group was known to be a faith-based idealist.

He said, “An assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about five local government areas in the state.

“The sad development was happening at the time when the state was being faced by banditry.”

The deputy governor further said, “As the threat was expanding, security authorities were working assiduously to address the emerging threat.

“The state government has been working closely with the federal security agencies to address numerous security threats to lives and properties of the people of the state.”

While enumerating various efforts being made by the government to confront security challenges, he expressed hope that the study tour would provide the required insight into the nature of the unfolding criminal activities and proffer solutions that would guarantee the security of lives and peaceful coexistence among people.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Titus Dauda, said the college was established in 1992 as the highest military education institution in the country.

He said the college was dedicated to the selection of officers from the military, police and strategic agencies to prepare them for responsibilities.

According to him, the college had graduated 2,982 participants and among them were many from 30 African and Asian countries.