Ameer Habib Tajje, the leader of the newly formed terrorist group “Lakurawa,” has called on Bello Turji, one of the country’s most feared bandit leaders, to give up his life of crime.
Turji, who has been wreaking havoc in parts of northwestern Nigeria, has long been a target for security agencies. His group is notorious for violent kidnappings and imposing “taxes” on local farmers who are required to pay before harvesting their crops.
The message from Tajje was shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who posted the statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account. According to Makama, Tajje plans to send a formal delegation to Turji, urging him to stop his criminal activities entirely.
The rise of the Lakurawa group was first noted earlier this year.
Members of the group have been known to go from one community to another, not only collecting taxes and levies but also preaching against Western ideas and democracy—a stance similar to the Boko Haram insurgency.
On Friday, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters officially confirmed the existence of Lakurawa. The group has set up bases in both Sokoto and Kebbi states.