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In the wake of the emergence of a new terror group Lakurawa in some parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states, BENJAMIN SAMSON in this report speaks with experts on what should be done to nip them in the bud.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had, while briefing journalists on the development in Abuja recently, explained that the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the military coup in that country had led to the breakdown of military cooperation between the Nigerian government and the new military leaders in that country.
The director of defence media operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, who briefed journalists, said, “The new terrorists began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in the Niger Republic. Before the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorists at bay.
He alleged that the members of the terror group were being accommodated by the locals who had initially thought that the group meant well for them.
The group
In an interview with this reporter, a security expert and a lecturer at the School of Post Graduate Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Dr. Ismail Muktar, narrated the origin of the group.
He said, “The name, Lakurawa, simply means ‘Recruit’ in Hausa language. Contrary to claims by the DHQ, that the group is new and came into being after the recent military coup in Niger Republic, strong evidence abounds that the group was formed in Mali sometime in 2017 and originally preferred to be called Mujahideen and Ansaru respectively, and they were a known affiliate of al-Qaeda, making them a Jihadist group.
“Originally, the group focused on offering and providing protection to the local populace in areas within the stronghold of areas of their influence or control, and attacking military installations, units and high profile facilities in Mali and Burkina Faso. Small as a small body of about 50 young boys and men, they soon expanded and grew in strength soon after the merging of the four prominent and once rival groups of Ansar al-Din, al-Murabitun, the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) and the al-Qaeda in the lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), all unifying to form the now notorious Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).”
How they entered Nigeria
On how they came into Nigeria, he said, “According to historians, Murtala Ahmed Rufa’I, James Barnett and Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, in their work ‘North Western Nigeria: A Jihadization of Banditry, or a ‘Bandization’ of Jihad?,’ revealed that the Lakurawa group was originally invited by two District Heads in Gudu and Tangaza local government areas of Sokoto state in 2017, to help them to contain the banditry activities of the Zamfarawa, a bandit group based in Zamfara state, and making incursions into some local government areas of Sokoto state. The then head of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) supported the invitation and the hosts contributed.
“When the Lakurawas originally came in, they were assisted by the locals and hosts who contributed cows, arms and cash to enable the body to grow. The group soon began to enlist local youths into their body.
“Their activities were restricted to providing security for their hosts, and subtly preaching their brand of Islam. Soon after, they began to impose levies, demanding alms, imposing a way of life that prohibited dancing, music and merriments, impounding phones, imposing dress regulations and robbing the locals, thereby bringing them into direct confrontation with their once friendly hosts.
“When the complaints of the locals grew louder, the military combatted them way back in 2018/2019, making the group to mellow down on their activities until their killing of three military men in August 2024, followed by the massacre of fifteen people on November 8, 2024.”
Proactive action needed
Speaking with this reporter, a security analyst, Iruka Osamor, urged security agencies to take swift and decisive action to eliminate the terror group before they gained footholds in the North-west and other parts of the country. He warned against the passive response that allowed groups like Boko Haram to grow unchecked.
He said, “The Lakurawas must be swiftly and permanently driven out of Nigeria by the military in collaboration with other security agencies before that organisation evolves into a full grown monster that becomes too difficult to tame or annihilate like Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“The emergence of this group is both dangerous and alarming, indicating a further escalation in the devastating insecurity affecting the North West, now considered Nigeria’s epicentre of terrorism. Lakurawa’s rise coincides with increased efforts by the Nigerian military to combat banditry in the region, posing a significant national security threat.”
He called on the military to enhance intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Community vigilance and involvement of local leaders, hunters, and vigilante groups to support security forces as well as early warning and response training for border communities will go a long way to aid in detecting threats.
“The emergence of the Lakurawa terror group necessitated the need for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s national security strategies and tactics, as well as stronger collaboration through the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The Niger Republic must be persuaded to return to participate in the endeavour.
“The visit to the Niger Republic earlier in the year by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, should be utilised as a fulcrum for renewed cross-border international efforts to deal with terrorists.
“The federal government, state and local authorities should also leverage on the close complex historic socio-cultural, economic and political ties with Nigeria’s neighbours with which to confront the mutual existential security threats that terror groups pose to all,” the statement said.
Gen. Buba
In his view, Maj.-Gen. Buba said the group is a threat to Nigeria’s national security and the military is already taking them out.
He said, “I want to say that the aim of our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country is very clear. Our aim is to fight the terrorists and destroy them wherever they may be hiding in order to destroy them or force them to surrender. As it is, we are decimating them and several of them are beginning to surrender because we have opened a surrender corridor to them.
“Specifically on the Lakurawas, they are a threat to our national security, we recognise them as such and we are taking them out. They came at a time when our operations in the North-west had been rejiged. As you are aware, we now have an operational theatre in the North-west similar to what we have in the North-east called Operation Fasan Yanma.
“Recently, the minister of defence was there to operationalise the air component of that operation. There is just one thing on our mind as a force; to dismantle this terrorists’ group, destroy their ability and their fighting capabilities and we are doing just that.”
No cause for alarm
Also, speaking with defence correspondents, the National Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said there was no cause for alarm, adding that “the group’s membership was not more than 200.”
He said, “The military and other security agencies under the coordination of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, was on top of the situation and the group would be wiped out in no distant future.
“It is true that a new wave of threats by the Lakurawa has emerged, but together, through strategic actions and unwavering public support, we can confront and overcome these threats.
“Since the emergence of this unwholesome group, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS and other service chiefs have met severally and concrete steps based on informed decisions have been taken to completely wipe members of this group or any other from Sokoto state and Nigeria at large.
“The members of this group are employing new tactics, exploiting technology, and seeking to disrupt our communities and lives. They aim to spread fear and division, but I am confident that, with the strength of a united community, we stand resilient and definitely will conquer them in no distant time.”
He also allayed the fears of Nigerians that the group may spread its tentacles beyond present location it is, while counseling that any criminality that happens should not be attributed to the group.
“So, the issue of Lakurawa extending to Kebbi, Kaduna, how many are they? Are they that much that they can terrorise Kebbi, terrorise Sokoto? Now, they are coming all the way down to Kaduna? How?
“We are talking about 150 people. You understand? Very soon, an incident will happen in, maybe Niger and it would be attributed to them because that is the latest thing in vogue. Everybody is just spreading it. It’s not as bad as we are looking at it.
“When the banditry was at its peak, people didn’t make noise about it. The way this Lakurawa, everybody is looking at it like a new Boko Haram coming to threaten Nigeria,”
He further assured that the intelligence agencies were working tirelessly to provide timely and actionable intelligence to prevent and counter these threats, adding that they have also strengthened ties reached out to neighbouring countries.
According to him, “We are implementing heightened security protocols in high-risk areas and advanced technology to monitor, gather and analyze intelligence.
“You may have noticed increased joint operations between the military and other security forces that have resulted in the neutralisation and arrest of several non-state armed groups.
“Also, our intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to provide timely and actionable intelligence to prevent and counter these threats. We have also maintained close ties with our allies to ensure that we stay ahead of those who seek to harm us on the security of our borders.”
The media
Similarly, the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has appealed to the general public and the media not to promote Lakurawa in its conversations on social media and in its reportage
In an interview with this reporter, the chairman of the Centre, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade (retd.), urged stakeholders and Nigerians to avoid media hype and focus on addressing the security threat posed by the insurgents.
Olukolade said the situation required swift and strategic action to prevent an escalation into a nationwide crisis with severe implications.
He said, “The CCC is concerned that excessive media attention and sensationalism around certain groups may be counterproductive, as such publicity can provide encouragement and visibility to adversaries.
“The rush to label these elements as terrorists, without due consideration, could have unintended consequences, including fostering mistrust within communities and inciting unnecessary public fear.
“The official designation of any group as a terrorist organisation is a responsibility that resides solely with the federal government under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011.”
Olukolade further cautioned against the exploitation of the menace by ‘conflict merchants’ individuals or groups with financial or political motives who stand to benefit from division and insecurity.
“The CCC urges these actors to refrain from manipulating this situation for personal gain as this could exacerbate the country’s security challenges and undermine genuine efforts to restore peace.”
Defence minister
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured citizens and residents of Sokoto and Kebbi of the readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces to crush members of the Lukarawa and other terrorist groups from their hideouts.
The minister stated this in Sokoto while inspecting the facilities of the air component of Operation Fansan Yamma.
He said the military had taken a decisive decision against Lakurawa.
“You heard it from the chairman of the local government area attacked by the Lakurawa in Kebbi state, testifying to the heavy presence of troops in the area.
“The Lakurawa were sent away from the area. This is as a result of the resilience and dedication of our security operatives. You are aware of the successes recorded by our air force, they bombarded some of the hideouts of bandits and bandits are now on the run,” he said.
Speaking further, he said the people in the affected areas were in the right position to speak on the operation, saying, “We just launched new air platforms in Katsina and unveiled the latest attack helicopters to fight banditry and Lakurawa and we will redeploy some of them to Sokoto.”
