A
suspected terrorist group carrying sophisticated weapons is currently
in control of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, applying
‘strange laws’ and punishing defaulters.According to reports, members of
the group believed to be from Niger Republic are in possession of
assorted weapons, preaching Islamic teachings, forcefully collecting
alms (zakat) and flogging defaulters.An eye witness stated that though
members of the terror group are yet to be identified by name, and have
been in the area for than two months, they are allegedly recruiting
youth in a nearby bush. After ‘training’ them, they give them a
motorcycle, he said.The witness, who pleaded anonymity, said members of
the group are more than 200. He said they looked strange, spoke Arabic
and wore turbans over their heads.“They imposed compulsory levies on
each household with cows and rams. Those with cows are paying N500 and
those with ram are paying N200. 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.Tangaza Local Government in
Sokoto State borders Niger Republic. The border communities of the two
countries inter-marry and are identical and speak the same dialect.Unknown group of suspected terrorists and armed men spotted in Sokoto State
A
suspected terrorist group carrying sophisticated weapons is currently
in control of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, applying
‘strange laws’ and punishing defaulters.According to reports, members of
the group believed to be from Niger Republic are in possession of
assorted weapons, preaching Islamic teachings, forcefully collecting
alms (zakat) and flogging defaulters.An eye witness stated that though
members of the terror group are yet to be identified by name, and have
been in the area for than two months, they are allegedly recruiting
youth in a nearby bush. After ‘training’ them, they give them a
motorcycle, he said.The witness, who pleaded anonymity, said members of
the group are more than 200. He said they looked strange, spoke Arabic
and wore turbans over their heads.“They imposed compulsory levies on
each household with cows and rams. Those with cows are paying N500 and
those with ram are paying N200. 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.Tangaza Local Government in
Sokoto State borders Niger Republic. The border communities of the two
countries inter-marry and are identical and speak the same dialect.
