Farmers in several villages within the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State are living in fear following threats from the notorious Lakurawa terrorist group. The group has reportedly warned residents against adopting mechanised farming methods, insisting they must return to traditional cattle-based agriculture — or face execution.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who reported the development, said the threats have caused panic in the affected communities. According to him, the terrorists are now dictating farming practices in the region, directly forbidding the use of modern tools that replace cattle in agricultural work.
Quoting a source familiar with the situation, Zagazola said, “Now, the terrorists are deciding how we farm. They’ve warned us not to use any modern equipment that makes cattle redundant. Yet, when we farm with cattle, they come and steal them.”
He added that the farmers, many of whom operate on a large scale for both personal and commercial purposes, are left with no safe options.
Communities in the area have already suffered repeated attacks and severe losses due to cattle rustling carried out by the Lakurawa group. An intelligence source confirmed that the group’s latest threats were delivered directly to village leaders, with a chilling ultimatum: anyone caught defying the order would be executed.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kebbi State, Nafiu Abubakar, said he was not yet aware of the threats but promised to investigate the situation.
The region has seen escalating violence in recent months. In April, at least 13 vigilantes were killed in Morai village, also in Augie LGA, during an ambush by suspected Lakurawa militants. According to Channels TV, the vigilantes had received a tip-off about a planned attack and took cover in nearby bushes to prepare a counterattack. However, they were unaware that the terrorists had surrounded them. As the vigilantes launched their offensive, the assailants opened fire, killing them instantly.
The repeated attacks and growing influence of the Lakurawa terrorists have prompted renewed calls from residents for urgent military intervention and protection.
