Heavily armed terrorists suspected to be members of the Lakurawa group reportedly invaded Zugurma community in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday, where they gathered residents and delivered a sermon promoting radical ideologies.
The community is located on the fringes of the Kainji Lake National Park.
According to residents, the terrorists, dressed in military camouflage and turbans, arrived in the community on about 30 motorcycles at approximately 3 p.m.
A resident who spoke to Premium Times on condition of anonymity said he encountered the armed men near a bridge linking the Hayin Kambari and Hayin Hausawa areas of the community while returning from a trip.
“I wanted to film them, but I couldn’t because I was on a motorcycle,” he said.
The resident explained that the terrorists split into two groups upon arrival.
“One group positioned itself around the bridge, while the other moved into the main town,” he said.
A community leader told the newspaper that many residents initially fled after spotting the armed men but later returned when they were assured that the group had come only to preach.
“They said they only came to preach to people and nothing more,” the leader said, adding that he did not attend the gathering.
Residents who attended the event said the sermon took place at a small mosque on Mallam Dugu Street in Hayin Kambari.
According to one resident, the group arrived in the area on 14 motorcycles, with two men riding each motorcycle, except one that carried a machine gun and its operator.
“Only one of them entered the mosque,” the resident said. “The others remained outside with us.”
Witnesses said the preacher spoke about unbelief, smoking, theft and the persistent farmers-herders conflict in the area.
He reportedly accused some Fulani herders of encroaching on farmlands and destroying crops and vowed that the group would intervene whenever such incidents occurred.
“He said they would step in whenever herders damaged farmers’ crops,” a resident recalled.
The preacher also reportedly issued threats against individuals involved in criminal activities.
“He warned that their group would punish or kill thieves. He also said anyone caught smoking would be flogged,” the resident added.
According to residents, the sermon lasted for about 40 minutes and drew applause from some members of the audience.
The incident has heightened concerns about the growing presence and influence of Lakurawa fighters in parts of northwestern and north-central Nigeria, where security agencies have intensified efforts to contain their activities.