Lakurawa Forces Child Marriage in Niger Fix Bride Price N1,500

Lakurawa fighters stormed Zugurma in Niger State Sunday, ordering girls 15+ to marry and pegging bride price at N1,500.

Armed Lakurawa terrorists in Zugurma community Niger State imposing child marriage order with N1,500 bride price

Panic is spreading in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State after armed members of the Lakurawa terror group stormed a rural community on Sunday and issued shocking marriage rules.

The fighters arrived in Zugurma in broad daylight. They gathered residents and preached for hours before announcing what they called new social laws.

Community sources who witnessed the meeting told Obgist News the group declared that every girl above 15 years must be married off immediately.

They also fixed the bride price, known locally as sadaki, at just N1,500.

"They stayed with us for hours. They said it is now a rule. Any girl from 15 years must marry, and no family should collect more than N1,500 as bride price," a resident said.

This is not the first time the group has been seen in the area.

Reports had earlier reported that Lakurawa fighters were moving freely across Borgu communities, preaching their ideology and threatening anyone who resisted.

Residents say Sunday’s visit felt different. It was more organised. It looked like an attempt to take control.

Zugurma is not just any village. It sits on the only good road linking Borgu to Mokwa. The New Bussa-Mokwa road is the lifeline for people travelling from Borgu to other parts of Nigeria.

"That is why we are worried. If they control Zugurma, they control movement in and out of Borgu," another source explained.

Fear has grown in recent weeks after a massive convoy of fighters was spotted coming from Kebbi State towards Borgu.

Eyewitnesses said hundreds of motorcycles poured into the area. Each bike carried at least two heavily armed men.

"Some of us counted over a thousand fighters. They passed through without any security challenge. Nobody stopped them," a community leader said.

Villagers say many settlements in the forests between Niger, Kwara and Kebbi are now exposed. Borgu shares a huge forest belt with Kaiama and Baruten in Kwara State, and Bagudo in Kebbi State.

The terrain is vast and hard to police. Residents believe this is why terror groups are using it as a safe corridor.

"Many hinterland communities are already under pressure from bandits. Now Lakurawa is adding to it. If government does not act fast, Borgu will be cut off completely," a youth leader warned.

People in the area accuse authorities of slow response despite repeated distress calls.

They say the group is not just fighting. They are preaching, holding meetings, and slowly winning influence in remote villages.

"The forests are massive. Every day we wait, they grow stronger. We have cried out tirelessly. All we have now is our voice and prayers," an elder in Zugurma said.

Security analysts note that Lakurawa has increased its activities across Nigeria’s northwest and north-central states in recent months, often using religious gatherings to push its rules on locals.

As of Monday, there was no official statement from the Niger State Government or security agencies on Sunday’s incident in Zugurma.

For residents, the fear is real. A group that once operated in shadows is now preaching in daylight, fixing bride prices, and telling parents when their daughters must marry.