Fresh concerns have emerged in parts of Niger State following reports that suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group entered Zugurma community in Borgu Local Government Area and announced a series of directives to residents.

According to community sources, the armed men reportedly arrived in the area on Sunday in broad daylight and remained there for several hours, during which they gathered residents and addressed them on issues relating to religion and social conduct.

Witnesses alleged that the group used the meeting to introduce rules that community members would be expected to observe, sparking fears of a growing attempt to establish influence and authority within the area.

Among the directives reportedly announced was an instruction that girls aged 15 and above should be married off. Sources also claimed that the group fixed the bride price, commonly referred to as sadaki, at ₦1,500.

“They stayed in the community for hours preaching to people. During the meeting, they said any girl above 15 years must be married off. They also announced that bride price should be fixed at ₦1,500,” a resident alleged.

Fears of Expanding Influence

The development has heightened anxiety among residents, who fear that the armed group may be seeking to gradually entrench itself within communities across the Borgu axis through a combination of religious messaging and social directives.

Community members expressed concern that the latest incident could signal an expansion of the group’s activities beyond isolated forest hideouts into populated settlements.

Residents noted that Zugurma occupies a strategic position because it lies along a major transportation corridor linking Borgu with Mokwa and other parts of the country.

According to local sources, the road connecting New Bussa to Mokwa remains one of the most important routes used by residents and businesses in the area.

“Zugurma is on the only good road connecting Borgu to Mokwa. It is a critical route for people travelling in and out of Borgu. What is happening here should concern everyone,” one resident said.

Reports of Large-Scale Movement of Armed Men

Residents also recalled an earlier incident in which a large number of armed men believed to be associated with the group were reportedly seen moving from neighbouring Kebbi State into parts of Borgu.

Witnesses claimed that the convoy consisted of hundreds of motorcycles, with multiple armed riders on each bike.

“A large convoy of armed men came from Kebbi. There were hundreds of motorcycles and possibly more than a thousand fighters moving through the area,” another resident alleged.

While these claims have not been independently verified, locals insist that the movement of armed groups across the region has become increasingly frequent, contributing to growing insecurity and fear among rural communities.

Concerns Over Security Challenges

Residents warned that many settlements located deep within the forests and remote areas of Borgu are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks and influence from armed groups.

Some community leaders expressed concern that without urgent intervention by security agencies, the situation could worsen and further isolate communities already struggling with insecurity.

“Many communities in the hinterland are already dealing with armed groups. If nothing is done, Borgu could become increasingly difficult to access and protect,” a local source stated.

Residents also criticized what they described as an inadequate response to repeated warnings about deteriorating security conditions in the region.

Vast Forest Terrain Poses Challenge

Borgu Local Government Area is one of the largest local government areas in Nigeria by landmass. Community leaders pointed out that the area shares expansive forest boundaries with neighbouring regions, including parts of Kwara and Kebbi states.

They explained that when combined with the forested territories of Kaiama and Baruten local government areas in Kwara State, as well as parts of Bagudo Local Government Area in Kebbi State, the region forms a vast landscape that presents significant security challenges.

According to residents, the extensive forest cover provides opportunities for criminal and extremist groups to move across state boundaries and establish hideouts away from major population centres.

“The forests are enormous, and that is why we keep raising the alarm. Every day without decisive action gives these groups more room to expand,” a community member said.

Calls for Urgent Intervention

The latest reports have intensified calls for stronger security operations and increased government presence in vulnerable communities across north-central and north-western Nigeria.

Residents urged security agencies and relevant authorities to take proactive measures to prevent armed groups from consolidating their presence in rural communities and to restore confidence among residents.

The allegations come amid broader concerns over the activities of the Lakurawa group in remote communities, with reports suggesting that the group has increasingly combined armed presence with religious outreach efforts as part of its operations.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not publicly responded to the specific allegations made by residents of Zugurma community.