A new terrorist group with different sophisticated weapons are currently in control and terrorising part of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and imposed ‘strange laws’ and punishing defaulters.
One of the residents of the village who spoke with Saturday Tribune said that members of the group, believed to be from a neighbouring country (Niger Republic) and are in possession of different kinds of weapons, preaching strange Islamic teachings, collecting alms forcefully (zakat) and whipping those that default.
The source also stated that even as members of the terror group are yet to be identified by name, but have been in the area for over two months, and allegedly recruiting youth in a nearby bush, train them and give them motorcycle for their operations after their successful training.
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He further said members of the group are still in their hundreds, speaks Arabic fluently, wore turbans with strange looks.
“They imposed compulsory levies on each household with cows and rams. Those with cows are paying N500 and those with ram are paying N200,” he said.“
They are arresting and fining herdsmen who encroach on farmlands and are keeping the money.“They are operating freely, scaring residents, without being challenged. They are going from one community to another,” the witness said.
When contacted on telephone, the Public Relations officer of Nigerian Police in the state, DSP Cordelia Nwaiwe, confirmed the information but promised to address a press conference over it as soon as the Commissioner comes back from the Local Government.
All efforts to speak with the Director General, media and publicity to the state Governor was abortive as his phone was not available when our correspondents called him.