The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has announced the emergence of “a new terror group” linked to jihadists from the Sahel, a region that accounts for the African portion of global terrorism. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, explained that the terrorists had exploited gaps in cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbors, taking advantage of difficult terrains to infiltrate remote areas in several Northwestern states like Sokoto and Kebbi.
In response to the announcement, the military declared nine individuals from the group wanted: Abu Khadijah, Abdurrahman, Dadi Gumba (also known as Abu Muhammed), Usman Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse. According to the police, the group is believed to operate in areas such as Tangaza, Gudu, Ilela, Binji, and Silame, in Sokoto and Kebbi, and is suspected of crossing into Nigeria from countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali.
The military’s warning comes about six years after residents in Tangaza and Gudu raised concerns about the suspicious activities of a group of herders in the Marake and Tsauni Forests. At the time, a police investigation concluded that the group, known locally as Lakurawa, were simply herders and not a violent threat. Despite suspicions that the group was heavily armed, the police described them as seasonal visitors from neighboring Niger. After consulting with traditional and religious leaders, the then-police commissioner, Murtala Mani, stated that the herders and their families—along with their cattle, camels, and donkeys—had left the area, but they never left.
The Origin Of The Lakurawa Terrorists
Headed by Ameer Habib Tajje, the Lakurawa group began as a group of herders who turned militant in the wake of the Malian crisis. Around 200 jihadis, mostly from Mali, crossed into the Gudu and Tangaza regions from Niger. Their presence in the communities along the Nigeria-Niger border, particularly in the Gudu and Tangaza areas of Sokoto, was initially tied to their traditional search for food and water for their cattle. Locals described them as herders, “light-skinned, speaking Arabic and Fulfulde,” who had adopted a radical Islamist agenda. These individuals began preaching in local Hausa and Fulfulde languages.
At times, they even assisted residents in fighting other terrorist groups operating in the region, expanding their influence and control. For nearly a decade, the northwestern region of Nigeria has become a ground for rural terrorists. Initially, some locals welcomed the Lakurawa group, impressed by their ability to expel bandits from their communities. However, their satisfaction quickly turned to suspicion. Residents became wary when the militants refused to consult local leaders after successfully rescuing a kidnap victim and instead took recovered cattle without returning them to the rightful owners. However, by October 2018, with the powers they commanded their activities took another turn forcing villagers to donate animals as Zakat, which they reportedly transported back to their home countries, and imposing strict rules and levies on the local communities. These actions prompted the community to report their concerns to the authorities.
Tensions escalated further when the Lakurawa group accused Muktar, the son of the District Head and the group’s chief treasurer, of embezzling approximately N63 million that belonged to them. This allegation, coupled with increasing distrust, marked the beginning of a deteriorating relationship between the Lakurawa militants and the local population.
After their initial incursion about six years ago, the Lakurawa group established camps, calling them Darul Islam, in areas like Gwangwano, Mulawa, Wassaniya, and Tunigara along the Nigeria-Nigerborder. The group, initially numbering fewer than 50 members, has since grown to over 200, with many young men between the ages of 18 and 35. Unorthodox practices and radical interpretations of the Qur’an mark their beliefs.
Why Are The Lakuruwa Saviours Now A Threat?
The first major attack by the Lakurawa group occurred on August 10, when they launched an assault on a military base in Sokoto, killing three soldiers and setting a Hilux vehicle on fire. This attack prompted a joint military operation between the Nigerian and Nigerien armed forces, aimed at combating the group’s growing presence. Their most recent attack took place in Mera town, located in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where at least 15 people were killed.
The Lakurawa group’s tactics primarily target government security forces, armed vigilantes, and other militant groups, though they generally spare civilians. However, they are known to force local populations to adopt radical Islamist ideologies, imposing strict laws that they define as God’s laws. Their influence has expanded, with the group now operating beyond the control of local authorities. In addition to their violent activities, the Lakurawa have been seen preaching in public spaces, collecting levies from herders under the guise of Zakat, and punishing villagers for perceived un-Islamic behavior, and reports say they have taken the roles of emirs. They have flogged individuals for playing music or dancing activities, further tightening their control over local communities.
What Can The Government Do?
The resurgence of militant groups in Nigeria, analysts suggest, is closely tied to the recent coup in the neighboring Niger Republic, which has disrupted joint military operations along the Nigeria-Niger border. The northwestern region of Nigeria has long been a hotspot for criminal gangs, and jihadist groups like Ansaru have also gained a foothold. This area shares a porous border with Niger, where Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) operate. Additionally, the border with Benin in Kebbi State serves as a potential corridor for Sahelian terrorists, often used as a logistical route or base of operations. The region’s dense forests provide a haven for terrorists, offering shelter for jihadists fleeing military offensives in neighboring countries affected by jihadi insurgencies.
The urgency to address this threat is growing, and experts suggest that Nigeria could learn from Israel’s strategy against Hezbollah. As political analyst and head at SBM Intelligence Cheta Nwanze puts it, the adage, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter,” reflects the destabilizing effect of targeting key leaders. Removing a prominent figure can sow chaos and disrupt militant operations, providing a potential avenue for disrupting these groups’ momentum.
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