How foreign ‘Jihadists’ set up camp in Sokoto

The people of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State are living under the threat of foreigners who set up camp in the area, and are imposing Shari’ah law. A source told Daily Trust Saturday that some of the self-styled ‘Jihadists’ were part of rebellion in Mali.

Daily Trust Saturday gathered that some of them, who were members of a vigilante group from Niger Republic, were initially invited by locals to secure release of a kidnapped victim which they successfully carried out.

It was gathered that in the course of the operation, they disarmed and killed many bandits, sacked their camps, sending many of them fleeing. It was also gathered that they recovered a large number of rustled cattle.

After the operation, some of them were said to have returned to Niger Republic, but later came back, this time in large numbers, including people other nationals. It was further gathered some of them speak Fulfulde, while some speak Arabic.

On their return, they set up camp in Siro-Kuyambana forest from where they chased the bandits.

Daily Trust Saturday further learnt that soon after settling down, they started forcing people to pay what they termed ‘zakkat’. They also whip those caught drumming and dancing in neighbouring villages.

It was said that they have started establishing marital relationships with the locals and indoctrinating the youths, taking advantage of their common Fulfulde language.

A security source privy to the situation, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the influx of the foreigners in the area. He said there was no reported killing of any of the locals, but “we are doing everything possible to neutralize their activities.”

Meanwhile the Police PRO, Sokoto Command, DSP Cordelia Nwawe has said there were no terrorists in the area, adding that the Commissioner of Police and officer in-charge of operations went there and found out that there was nothing like that.