NEW SUSPECTED TERRORIST GROUP EMERGES IN SOKOTO
The witness added further as at the time of filing this report, the identity of the terror group was yet to be known, nor name to be identified with, but they were reported to have been in the area for than two months.
Penpushing further learnt from the witness that, the suspected terrorists are allegedly recruiting youth in a nearby bush, and after ‘training’ them, gives out a motorcycle, adding that as at the time of this report members of the group are more than 200.
The witness explained that, the suspected terrorists looked strange, spoke Arabic and wore turbans over their heads, adding that, “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.
Penpushing reports that, Tangaza Local Government in Sokoto State borders Niger Republic, while it is known that the border communities of the two countries inter-marry and are identical and speak the same dialect.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani in brief response as at the time of filing this report said he was on his way to the area and would call back later in the day.
