Terrorists allegedly affiliated with the Lakurawa gang have threatened farmers in Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area, cautioning them against substituting mechanised agricultural equipment for traditional cattle-driven farming practices.
Zagazola Makama, a security expert, reported that the terrorists threatened to kill anyone seen cultivating with mechanised equipment instead of cattle. Residents of the impacted areas, many of whom had started switching to modern agricultural methods in reaction to the persistent cattle rustling in the area, are now terrified and in a panic as a result of the warning.
“Now, the terrorists are dictating how we should farm,” a local source was quoted as saying. “They forbid us from using machines. When we use cattle, they seize them. We’re farming both for sustenance and commercial purposes.”
According to reports, an intelligence source also attested to the fact that the threats were real and spread over a number of Augie LGA communities. People in the community are now urging the Nigerian government and military to act immediately.
READ ALSO: Fuming Wike Slams Abuja Bigwigs for Dodging Taxes
Allegedly, the same group has been responsible for several attacks and extensive livestock rustling in the region. Suspected Lakurawa gunmen ambushed at least 13 vigilantes in April during a botched attempt to retrieve stolen cattle in Morai village, also in Augie LGA.
Nafiu Abubakar, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, was contacted and promised to look into the incident.
