- Lakurawa's transition from herders to militant terrorists has fueled security concerns in Nigeria
- Recent attacks by Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi have left 15 dead and over 100 cattle stolen, sparking local fears
- The Lakurawa group, believed to be heavily armed, uses Sokoto's forests as their base for planning attacks
A growing terrorist group known as Lakurawa is rapidly becoming a major security concern in the northern regions of Nigeria.
How did Lakurawa evolve from herders to violent militant faction?
Initially, Lakurawa was identified as a group of herders, but over time, they have changed into a violent militant faction operating along the Nigeria-Niger border, particularly in the Gudu and Tangaza areas of Sokoto State.
In late 2018, a group of around 200 jihadis, mostly "herders, light-skinned, and speaking Arabic and Fulfulde," entered the Gudu and Tangaza regions of Sokoto from across the Niger border, with reports indicating their origins in Mali.
Isah Salihu Kalenjeni, the Chairman of Tangaza Local Government, Sokoto State told HumAngle:
“We suspect that these groups are about 300 splitting across Illela, Tangaza, Gudu, Silami and Binji forest areas. They frequently visit our villages meeting rural people dressed in Muslim attire sometimes with turbans visiting mosques. Our fear is that they are planning to take over our redundant youths, luring them into their criminal activities.”
How did locals in Sokoto first react to the presence of Lakurawa?
In response to concerns from locals, the police conducted investigations that initially downplayed the group’s violent tendencies.
Authorities at the time suggested that the Lakurawa were just seasonal herders, crossing from neighbouring Niger in search of water and pasture for their cattle, camels, and donkeys.
Over the last six years, communities in Sokoto, especially those near the Marake and Tsauni Forests, have reported increasing suspicions surrounding these herders.
Despite suspicions that the group was heavily armed, the police under Commissioner Murtala Mani described them as peaceful visitors with no immediate threat.
After consultations with local leaders, the official position was that the herders, who were mostly from Niger, had vacated the area and returned to their homeland.
Growing threats, hideout of Lakurawa
However, this narrative has been challenged in recent times. Lakurawa's activities have taken a deadly turn, with reports of killings and large-scale cattle rustling.
In the latest incident reported on Friday, November 8, the group attacked Mera, in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing at least 15 people and stealing over 100 cattle.
According to Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera, a prominent local figure, the attack occurred as residents were preparing for Friday prayers.
The assailants, armed and violent, stormed the town, making off with the livestock and leaving a trail of destruction.
“On hearing this, people of the town mobilised in their hundreds and pursued them to the bush in a bid to recover the cows.
“There was exchange of fire between the people of the town and the bandits which led to the killing of 15 people and two of the lakurawas were also killed,” Mera stated.
Mera revealed that the Lakurawas are taking refuge in the forests of Sokoto, using the area as a base to plan their attacks.
“Initially they didn’t kill, they only confiscated cows and asked owners to pay ‘Zakat’. That has been happening for almost two months. This is their first attack in which they killed 15 people in our town,” Mera added.
How is Lakurawa recruiting youths in northern Nigeria?
Lakurawa is reportedly offering up to one million naira to young men in exchange for their loyalty, according to counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama.
In a post shared on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, November 9, Makama revealed that an anonymous source had informed him about the group’s recruitment activities in Sokoto.
He stated that Lakurawa, a faction believed to consist of individuals from Mali, Libya, Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso, is actively enticing local youths with significant financial incentives to join their cause.
Makama emphasised that this financial lure is part of an aggressive recruitment strategy aimed at expanding the group’s influence.
Nigeria raises alarm over influx of weapons from Libya fuelling terrorism
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, stressed the need for sustainable solutions to combat Nigeria's escalating security issues, driven by arms smuggling from Libya.
Bakari emphasised the need for sustainable solutions, calling for increased international collaboration to help Nigeria effectively combat terrorism and the arms trade.