•The authorities must quickly tackle the dangerous new sect
News of the existence of a new sect suspected to be involved in “human trafficking and child separation” added fuel to Nigeria’s burning insecurity issue. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in a circular to all its directorates, zones, training institutions and commands, said intelligence revealed “the emergence of a new sect called ACHAD Life Mission International.”
The sect’s headquarters is in Kaduna, while “its leader, one Mr Yokana, lives in Jos, Plateau State,” the NIS added. It also noted that the sect “neither believes in Islam nor Christianity but preaches the restoration of the African tradition and support to humanity,” and “has been canvassing for members both within and outside Nigeria.”
The circular was signed on behalf of the Comptroller- General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, who said the agency’s officers should “stay vigilant, and report immediately any sign of the sect, and where possible arrest” its members.
Indeed, it is concerning that this sect is said to be linked with human trafficking and child separation. The United Nations (UN) defines human trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power… for the purpose of exploitation.” Such exploitation includes forced labour, sexual slavery, or other forms of commercial sexual exploitation; it is considered a violation of human rights. Child separation indicates that the sect engages in separating children from one or both of their parents or primary caregivers, possibly for the purpose of exploitation.
This development, coming about three months after reports of the activities of a new terrorist group known as ‘Lakurawa’ in the northern part of the country, adds yet another layer to the country’s security challenges. In November 2024, the group was reported to have seized five local government areas of Sokoto State: Tangaza, Gada, Illela, Silame, and Binji. The terrorists were said to be heavily armed and had also been terrorising Kebbi State.
Director of Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen. Edward Buba had explained that “They exploited the vast borders from Niger Republic which stretch to Mali and which became porous as a result of the coup in Niger Republic to cross into parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states because the joint border operations with Nigerian security forces was experiencing gaps.”
The activities of this new terrorist group have compounded the ongoing war against terrorism. The war continues because terrorist groups in the country are still active. The terrorists are no longer only Boko Haram members. The involvement of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and ISWAP (Islamic State West African Province) has made matters worse. The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009. It is troubling that the insurgency in the north is now in its 16th year. It is at the heart of the country’s security crisis.
Following the information on the activities of ACHAD Life Mission International, the security agencies are expected to tighten security at the country’s borders. In this context, the recently inaugurated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) must live up to its billing. The NIS boss had announced that it would “support real-time video surveillance to monitor unmanned border areas across the federation, ensuring a constant watch on border activities.”
Having identified the sect’s leader and his location, the security agencies should go after him and ensure that the sect is neutralised. It is unacceptable to carry out criminal activities such as alleged human trafficking and child separation, whether under the umbrella of faith or not. The authorities should send a strong signal that there is no room for dangerous groups.
