A religious sect identified as “Yanlabaiku, which preaches doctrines similar to those of Boko Haram is currently in its infancy with 100 members at its base in Gwadangwaji, near Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi state, Daily Trust reports.
While no violence has been associated with the activities of the group, it is reported to be against western education and is currently holding public preaching, meetings and processions to draw more converts to their cause.
According to the newspaper, members of the group are equally called “Yanlokoloko”, said to be one of the names of one of its leaders, Ismaila Lokoloko, who is assisted by one Bala Amadu.
It was gathered that the group is opposed to one of the major teachings of the Islamic religion – the five daily prayers – as it allegedly preaches against offering them as Islam dictates.
With a slogan that identifies them as putting their belief in their Sheikh above God, Yanlokoloko are said to willingly surrender their wives to spend the night with their important visitors, especially scholars from the group.
The report claimed that the group’s leaders were part of a group that was based in Niger State before it was disbanded by government. Some of the present leaders relocated to Borno and Yobe states while others relocated to Niger Republic where they might have had direct contact with the Boko Haram.
“You might have noticed that their criticism of the five daily prayers which is a compulsory act in Islam 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 source said.
Speaking anonymously, residents of the area say: “the group used to converge at Malam Labarasi’s residence in Gwadangwaji. Most of us don’t pray in their mosque. We did not pay much attention to them because until we started seeing journalists and other people coming to ask questions, we never knew them.”
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