The Nigerian government submitted a document to a High Court in the capital, Abuja, on Thursday, detailing the activities of the group.

It said Lakurawa had been involved in acts of terrorism, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking and attacks on top government officials.

The group was also accused of spreading harmful ideology within local communities and encouraging locals to disregard authorities, “resulting in injuries, and loss of lives and property to innocent citizens of Nigeria”.

The group emerged few years ago in some villages in Sokoto and Kebbi states and people had notified authorities of its existence but nothing was done.

At first, Lakurawa members promised to tackle banditry and help protect local people from cattle thieves.

“But things escalated when they started asking to check people’s phones and would flog those that have music in them before deleting them,” the man said.

In the court papers, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi said the group’s activities posed a serious threat to national security.

Last year, military spokesperson Maj Gen Edward Buba said the emergence of Lakurawa was directly linked to political instability in neighbouring Mali and Niger.

The military has seized power in both countries, partly because of the pressure of an Islamist insurgency.