The Emergence of a New Jihadist Group Exacerbates Nigeria’s Security Woes

Nigerian authorities are warning about an Islamic group known as "Lakurawa," believed to be composed of men from Mali and Niger who have crossed the border into northern Nigeria.

11th November 2024

2 minutes read

The Emergence of a New Jihadist Group Exacerbates Nigeria's Security Woes

Nigerian officials have issued a warning about the emergence of a new jihadist group active in the region after militants associated with it killed 15 people in an attack on a village in northwestern Nigeria, local authorities announced on Saturday.

The emergence of a new jihadist group could worsen the security challenges that have burdened the Nigerian army for years, as Boko Haram and other jihadist groups have waged an armed insurgency in northeastern Nigeria for nearly 15 years, resulting in over 40,000 deaths.

Northwest and central Nigeria have also been plagued for years by criminal gangs that attack villages, kill and kidnap residents, and burn down homes after looting them.

Kebbi State Deputy Governor Umar Tafida stated that Friday’s attack in Mira, about 50 km from the Niger border, was carried out by “unknown gunmen.” However, this latest attack followed a warning from authorities about an Islamic group known as “Lakurawa,” believed to be composed of men from Mali and Niger who crossed into Nigeria.

The deputy governor of Kebbi and senior security officials attended the funeral for the 15 victims in Mira on Saturday, according to a statement from his office.

Last Tuesday, Idris Mohammed Gobir, deputy governor of Sokoto State, which borders Kebbi, informed the federal army of the emergence of the Lakurawa group. He reported that “the group possesses sophisticated weapons, and its criminal activities have been observed in about five areas.”

The group arrived two months ago, settled near the Niger border, and has since launched attacks on remote villages, stealing cattle and imposing taxes on local communities, explained Issa Salihu Kalangini, a political official in the Tangaza region. The group has set up camps in the Tsunyi Forest, which extends into Niger.

Kalangini added that the group encourages local communities to revolt against secular authorities and enforces its strict interpretation of Sharia law, recruiting young villagers by offering them money to fund various activities.

On Friday, members of this group invaded the Mira area, seizing livestock while residents were at the mosque for Friday prayers.

Bashir Issa, a local leader in Mira, reported that villagers gathered to defend their herds but lost 15 people in a battle against the better-armed jihadists.

The Nigerian army has announced that it faces an additional security threat in the northwest of the country, as the new jihadist group continues incursions into the Nigerian states of Sokoto and Kebbi, which border Niger.

The Nigerian army spokesman said that “the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey, just over a year ago by soldiers of the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland, disrupted joint border patrols temporarily, leading to the emergence of this new armed group.”

These patrols have resumed, but the Nigerian army says it remains vigilant, especially since the northwest of the country has already faced armed gangs and an increase in kidnappings for ransom for years.