No part of Sokoto under occupation by Jihadists, armed group – Police

The Sokoto State Police Command has denied media reports that parts of Tangaza local government area of the state was under occupation of Jihadists or any armed militia group.

Reacting to the reports, yesterday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Cordelia Nwawe, told newsmen that neither Tangaza nor any part of the state was under threat as claimed. 

She said the rumour prompted the State Commissioner of Police, CP Murtala Usman Mani, and his deputy in charge of operations to pay an on-the-spot assessment visit on November 30.

She said: “The news of the presence of herdsmen suspected to be armed Malians, known as LAKURAWA have been making the rounds lately. They were sighted around Marake Forest in Gudu local government area and Wassaniya, Tunigara, Moliava, Jina-Jinai villages in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State.

“The herdsmen are light skinned, speak Arabic and Fulfude languages and are with large herds numbering about 3,000, apparently looking for greener pastures.”

She stated that on receiving the information, the command activated intelligence gathering and surveillance to have an understanding of the situation for proper and further actions.

She said findings showed that the herdsmen are Malians and reside in a forest in Niger Republic, sharing border with Gudu and Tangaza local government areas.

She explained that the herdsmen come to the area, owing largely to availability of water for their animals.