Lakurawa introduces controversial marriage rules, limits bride price to ₦1,500

Armed members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have reportedly issued new social and religious directives in Zugurma community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, ordering residents to marry off girls aged 15 and above while fixing bride price at ₦1,500.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday when the armed group entered the community in broad daylight and spent several hours addressing residents.

Community sources said the fighters used the gathering to preach their ideology and announce a set of rules they expect locals to obey, raising growing fears of expanding militant influence in rural settlements across the Borgu axis.

According to residents, the group declared that any girl above 15 years must be married off immediately and that the traditional bride price (sadaki) should be fixed 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 said.

Zugurma community, located along a key route linking Borgu to Mokwa, is considered strategically important as it connects several rural settlements to other parts of the country.

Residents say the development is part of a wider pattern of increasing movement and influence by armed groups in forested areas across Borgu and neighbouring regions.

Reports also indicate that weeks earlier, large numbers of suspected fighters were seen moving through nearby forest routes on motorcycles, sparking further alarm among locals.

Community members warn that many rural settlements are becoming increasingly exposed due to limited security presence and difficult terrain, which they say is allowing armed groups to operate with little resistance.

Borgu LGA, one of the largest in the state by landmass, shares vast forest boundaries with parts of Kwara and Kebbi States, making coordinated security coverage difficult.

Residents have continued to call on authorities for urgent intervention, warning that continued inaction could further embolden armed groups operating across the region.