There are indications that a new Islamic group with ideology similar to Boko Haram sect has appeared at Gwadangwaji, the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, capital of Kebbi state. The sect known as “Yanlabaiku” is said to be having about 100 members, which for now is non-violent and is conducting public preaching, meetings and processions.
The followers are also called ‘Yanlokoloko’ which is one of the names of one of its founders, Ismaila Lokoloko, who is assisted by one Bala Amadu. The group has a slogan that puts belief in their Sheikh above God.
Yanlokoloko are also said to eagerly share their wives to spend the night with their important visitors particularly scholars from the group. Some sources said that the followers have contact with Boko Haram insurgents. A source revealed that the sect criticized the five daily prayers and the number of the raka’a’s . where they are to pray five raka’a they pray two saying that sheikh will complete the remaining for them this he said is synonymous with the teachings of the sect sacked from Niger State, while the Boko Haram is known to oppose Western education.
The issue of sharing their wives with their scholars is a known practice by some sects in the early 70s. The sect is said to have taken over a Mosque in Kebbi forcing the Imam there to resign. A local said the sect members are always seen sitting around the mosque he said the group used to converge at Malam Labarasi’s residence in Gwadangwaji, and that Most of them don’t pray in their mosque.
Meanwhile, Muhammadu Danmaihure, the former imam of the mosque, 45, said he freely resigned from his post about a week ago after serving in that capacity for over 15 years. According to him he resigned from his position as the imam of the mosque about a week ago due to some misunderstanding between the congregation and himself.
But after further pressure, Danmaihure revealed that he was forced to relocate to the frontage of his house to avoid interacting with the group after several attempts and sermons failed to change the minds of the group’s members on certain ideology they are introducing.
“I am an indigene of Kebbi State and resigned my role after 15 years of serving as the imam of the same mosque few days ago, because the sect kept insisting that after calling prayer, we must not wait for others to pray in congregation. So, I was not comfortable with that decision which resulted into a serious rift that led to my resignation as imam of the mosque,” the imam said. However he denied claims that the group has any similarity with the Boko Haram.
He said: “I have also heard of such allegations which I believe are being peddled by people who are opposed to the sects ideology. One can say anything if he is opposed to your religious ideology. “I was born and brought up in Gwadangwaji village over 45 years ago and we have been praying five times daily and it is according to Islamic injunction, We have no connection direct or indirect with Boko Haran group up to the time of my resignation as imam.”
Deputy governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Samaila Dabai Yombe, when contacted on phone said all needed action has been taken by government to end the sect, adding that security agents are already on top of the matter. “Government has sprang into action with a follow up instruction to all security agents to bring down any such body that presents security threats to our people,” he said.
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