Lakurawa’s Dark Rise: How Local Leaders In Kebbi And Sokoto Played Into The Hands Of Terrorists

Lakurawa’s Dark Rise: How Local Leaders In Kebbi And Sokoto Played Into The Hands Of Terrorists

The saying “you cannot invite the devil to dinner and expect him to leave when his time is up” reflects the situation in Kebbi and Sokoto States, where residents are now living in...READ MORE…

fear due to the actions of the Lakurawa terrorists in Nigeria’s northwest.

The Lakurawa group, initially formed as a self-defense militia for Fulani communities in Niger in 1997, has evolved into a significant militant force with increasingly radical ideologies in the region. They have been involved in activities such as armed banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi states, raising concerns about growing violent extremism in the area.

Originally set up to protect Fulani herders from Tuareg attacks, Lakurawa shifted its position in 2012 after a faction aligned with the al-Ansar al-Sharia group, which aims to establish a Sharia state in Mali’s Azawad region. This alliance led to a splinter group that adopted extremist views and often clashed with local authorities.

How Lakurawa Entered Local Communities

In an exclusive interview with  ireporteronline , Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad Region, shared that in 2018, community leaders in Gudu and Illela areas secretly invited Lakurawa to help combat rising banditry, bypassing government intervention. This move sparked controversy.

Following the coup in Niger on July 26, 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, reports suggest that a foreign nation hired Lakurawa to destabilize Niger in order to restore the ousted president. The group was reportedly paid in dollars, with some leaders receiving ₦15 million and motorcycles.

Lakurawa’s Growth and Radicalization

The group has primarily expanded with foreign fighters from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, contributing to its radicalization. U.S. Africa Command had warned in 2020 of jihadists increasingly infiltrating West Africa’s coastal areas, which would include groups like Lakurawa. The group’s spread and activities are believed to be linked to larger insurgent networks, including Boko Haram and Ansaru, exacerbating insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central zones.

Lakurawa has operated in Nigeria since 2018, with members often viewed by locals as protectors against armed bandits. However, their ideology has shifted towards extremist beliefs similar to the Khawarij sect, similar to Boko Haram. Their diverse ethnic composition, including Malians, Arabs, Tuaregs, and Fulani, and their use of multiple languages, including Arabic and Hausa, has helped them integrate into and expand across local communities.

Exploitation of Resources and Recruitment

Lakurawa’s activities are focused on exploiting Nigeria’s abundant natural resources in Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto, all while posing as protectors of the local communities. They also recruit youth into their ranks by offering financial incentives and ideological influence. However, their true objectives align with those of other terrorist groups, seeking control over resources rather than engaging in direct conflict with the government.

The group is involved in smuggling networks, which transport fuel, ammunition, and supplies across Nigeria’s borders, supporting terrorist groups across West Africa.

Addressing the Threat of Lakurawa

To combat Lakurawa, Zagazola advocates for a multi-dimensional strategy that includes strengthening intelligence, surveillance, and military efforts. Improved surveillance through both human intelligence and technology, like drones, can help detect and disrupt their activities. Collaboration with neighboring countries such as Niger, Mali, and Chad is essential to monitor arms trafficking and limit the group’s resources.

Community leaders should be educated about the risks of collaborating with such groups, and alternative forms of support should be provided to reduce the group’s influence. Targeted military actions, in coordination with local forces and regional partners, will be crucial in dismantling Lakurawa’s operations and ensuring security in the affected areas.

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