An ugly development has emerged in parts of Niger State following reports that suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group entered Zugurma community in Borgu Local Government Area and announced a series of directives to residents.
According to community sources, the armed men reportedly arrived in the area on Sunday in broad daylight and remained there for several hours, during which they gathered residents and addressed them on issues relating to religion and social conduct.
Witnesses alleged that the group used the meeting to introduce rules that community members would be expected to observe, sparking fears of a growing attempt to establish influence and authority within the area.
Among the directives reportedly announced was an instruction that girls aged 15 and above should be married off. Sources also claimed that the group fixed the bride price, commonly referred to as sadaki, at ₦1,500.
“They stayed in the community for hours preaching to people. During the meeting, they said any girl above 15 years must be married off. They also announced that bride price should be fixed at ₦1,500,” a resident alleged.
Fears of Expanding Influence
The development has heightened anxiety among residents, who fear that the armed group may be seeking to gradually entrench itself within communities across the Borgu axis through a combination of religious messaging and social directives.
Community members expressed concern that the latest incident could signal an expansion of the group’s activities beyond isolated forest hideouts into populated settlements.
Residents noted that Zugurma occupies a strategic position because it lies along a major transportation corridor linking Borgu with Mokwa and other parts of the country.
According to local sources, the road connecting New Bussa to Mokwa remains one of the most important routes used by residents and businesses in the area.
“Zugurma is on the only good road connecting Borgu to Mokwa. It is a critical route for people travelling in and out of Borgu. What is happening here should concern everyone,” one resident said.
Residents also recalled an earlier incident in which a large number of armed men believed to be associated with the group were reportedly seen moving from neighbouring Kebbi State into parts of Borgu.
Witnesses claimed that the convoy consisted of hundreds of motorcycles, with multiple armed riders on each bike.
“A large convoy of armed men came from Kebbi. There were hundreds of motorcycles and possibly more than a thousand fighters moving through the area,” another resident alleged.