New Sect 'Kala Kato' Emerges in Niger State

There are serious concerns in security circles over the emergence of a new sect which reportedly preaches a strange ideology of Islam in some communities of Niger State.

SUNDAY PUNCH Reports that the sect identified as Kalo Kato comprises mainly Nigeriens who sneaked into the country and started propagating what has been described as a strange brand of Islam.

An online news portal, the Sahara Reporters, quoted a security source as having said the Kalo Kato sect had been found in two districts — Uregi-Kongoma  and Kwana-Mariga- in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The security source reportedly identified the leader of the sect as one Abdulkadir Suwaba.

Niger is one of the states in the North-Central geopolitical zone that shares borders with the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The security source also reportedly said the Kalo Kato, whose views on some key areas of Islam conflicts with the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, were converting moderate Muslims into its fold.

It was stated that the Nigerien followers of the sect were telling Muslims to ignore the teachings of Prophet Mohammed and the Hadith (sayings of the prophet).

The members of the sect were said to be challenging a prayer in Islam ‘Nasilat’  and were also said to be telling their listeners that giving alms to the poor was not compulsory in Islam.

It was further stated that the security operatives are worried about how they sneaked into the country without being noticed.

The strange sect was said to have arrived Rafi Local Government Area before the Ramadan.

When contacted, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said security agencies would take every briefing on security matters with the deserved seriousness.