The Rise of Lakurawa Insurgency and Nigeria’s Security Gaps
By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi
The retreat of members of Lakurawa, a religious sect, from their strongholds in Kebbi and Sokoto communities following a coordinated military offensive is a welcome development. This sect had become a significant security concern, wreaking havoc on residents and exacerbating hardships in the region.
Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, had previously appealed to the federal government and Defence Headquarters to address the activities of the Lakurawas, whose violent actions turned an already dire security situation even graver.
The Lakurawa sect, believed to have originated from Sahelian regions of Mali, Algeria, Niger, and Chad, was initially perceived as harmless seasonal herders. They imposed taxes, compelled locals to pay Zakat, and preached radical ideologies.
However, following their declaration as terrorists by Nigeria’s Defence and Force Headquarters, the group escalated its activities, engaging in killings and livestock rustling. A critical concern lies in how the government and security agencies, particularly the intelligence community, mishandled the Lakurawas’ activities, allowing the issue to escalate into a national threat.
This has added another complex layer to Nigeria’s already fragile security landscape. According to Dr. Murtala Rufa’i, a historian and conflict researcher at Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, the Lakurawa sect has been active in Nigeria for about eight years.
Initially, they camped in the forests of Gudu and Tangaza Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Sokoto State. Their entry into Nigeria was reportedly facilitated by traditional rulers seeking protection from neighboring Zamfara-based bandits who were attacking their communities.
“The District Head of Balle in Gudu Local Government, together with the District Head of Gongono in Tangaza Local Government, met with Alhaji Bello Wamakko, the then Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), to discuss how to tackle Zamfarawa bandits.
They finally concluded to hire Lakurawa from Mali to deal with Zamfarawa bandits,” a traditional ruler recounted, adding that he had warned then-Governor Aliyu Wamakko about the dangers of inviting the Lakurawas. Meanwhile, community leaders who invited the group inadvertently contributed to their growth.
They provided cash, livestock, logistics, and weapons to both the Lakurawas and newly recruited youth in the communities. Explaining the motives behind the group’s incursion and subsequent settlement, Dr. Rufa’i noted that while the group originated from Mali, its ancestors are believed to have lived within the ancient Kabi Caliphate before the Sokoto Caliphate was established.
Read Also:
The Lakurawa’s ambition extends beyond mere survival. Their goal is to establish a caliphate spanning the Sahelian region of West Africa, leveraging their historical roots. Alarmingly, they have adopted advanced technologies such as drones to monitor troop movements and residents’ activities.
The authorities’ failure to address the Lakurawa threat early on allowed the group to re-emerge and escalate their activities. The recent coup in Niger and the collapse of joint military operations between Nigeria and Niger have further emboldened the group. Porous borders and ungoverned spaces facilitate their movements and operations.
Investigations reveal that multiple jihadi groups are operating in Northern Nigeria, with the Lakurawa and Ansaru being the most prominent. Ansaru, for instance, primarily operates around the Birnin Gwari axis of Kaduna State.
The presence of such groups underscores a significant gap in Nigeria’s security governance, particularly in rural and border communities. Movement across Nigeria’s porous national borders is alarmingly easy, reflecting the erosion of trust in the government’s ability to secure lives and property.
This has driven locals to rely on non-state actors for protection. For over a decade, the northwestern region has been plagued by criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry. The region shares a porous border with Niger, where Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) operate.
The border with Benin Republic in Kebbi State serves as a logistics route for Sahelian terrorists. Vast forests provide havens for terrorists, making the area a potential refuge for jihadists fleeing military offensives in neighboring countries.
Analysts warn that the region is fast becoming a ticking time bomb due to the influx of jihadists from the Sahel, exacerbating Nigeria’s fragile security situation, especially in the northern region.
These groups’ operations continue to strain the livelihoods of local communities, which have long suffered from terrorist attacks. This pressing issue demands concerted and collaborative efforts from all actors in the security sector. The situation requires urgent attention to prevent further deterioration.
The military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) must outline and implement proactive measures to avert security breaches.
Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi is a research student at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and the author of National Security Strategies: A Young Writer’s Perspective. He writes on issues related to security and governance from Kano and can be reached at: [email protected]
