The Nigerian Army has joined forces with military units from Chad, Niger, and other neighboring nations to combat the rising threat of the Lakurawa terrorist group. This joint operation, which includes patrols across borders, aims to curb the movement of the group and reduce its growing influence in northern Nigeria and adjacent regions.
The Lakurawa group has been linked to terror activities stretching from the Sahel region, particularly Mali and Niger, to local communities in Sokoto and Bauchi states.
The group first garnered national attention after its daring attack on November 4, but its roots go back years, with camps reportedly established as early as 2018. These camps, located in border communities like Gudu and Tangaza, serve as hubs for their operations.
“They use Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic languages in their preaching and have named their camp Dar-ul-Islam,” a local leader told PUNCH. While the group initially refrained from violence, the recent attack in Kebbi State marked a bloody turning point, leaving 17 dead and sparking heightened security efforts.
According to Dr. Murtala Rufa’i, a researcher at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, the Lakurawa group has a long-standing ambition to establish a caliphate. With between 1,500 and 1,800 followers, the group has used financial incentives to attract local support, exploiting widespread poverty.
In response, Nigerian authorities have ramped up military efforts. Joint patrols with neighboring countries aim to block the group’s movements through Nigeria’s porous borders.
Major-General Edward Buba of Defence Media Operations stated, “We have commenced joint patrols with neighboring countries to block the gaps that enable their penetration.”
Despite progress, challenges remain, especially with the porous borders between Sokoto State and Niger Republic. Local security experts have urged the government to secure these areas to prevent further infiltration.
A security expert in Sokoto, who spoke with PUNCH on condition of anonymity, confirmed that most of the insecure community in Sokoto shared border with either another state or country.
“You see, the issue of Lakurawa and other security issues in our state have worsened due to the borders that are not secured.
“If you go to places like Illela, Gudu, Tangaza, and Gada, among others, they share borders with either the Niger Republic or other states. The strength of security personnel in the state cannot secure these border communities, which is why the problem keeps increasing.
“Our appeal is not just to the Nigerian Army or police to secure the borders but also to the newly established Sokoto Community Guard Corps to ensure there’s adequate security in these border communities. The local security guards must rise to expectations and contribute their quota to the affected areas.”
Sokoto’s Special Adviser on Security, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), expressed confidence in ongoing efforts, praising the military’s role in restoring peace. “I can assure you that these Lakurawa guys have been dealt with; kudos to the troops of the Nigerian Army who have been doing a wonderful job,” He said.
“On the issue of fear, that is a constant thing especially for those people in those affected communities but with the report we are seeing now, we can see improvement.”
