Nigeria’s government has officially classified the Lakurawa militant group as a terrorist organization, imposing a nationwide ban on its activities. Known for enforcing strict Islamic codes, including punishing individuals for listening to music, Lakurawa has become a significant security threat in the region.
The group, which emerged in northwestern Nigeria and operates across the border into Niger, has been linked to jihadist factions in Mali and Niger. For years, its members have reportedly integrated into local communities along the Nigeria-Niger border, marrying local women and recruiting young men into their ranks.
This development exacerbates Nigeria’s already complex security challenges, as the country continues to combat multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and kidnapping syndicates. On Thursday, the Nigerian government submitted a detailed document to the High Court in Abuja, outlining Lakurawa’s terrorist activities.
According to the court filing, the group has engaged in cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking, and attacks on high-ranking government officials. Additionally, Lakurawa has been accused of promoting extremist ideologies, inciting locals to defy authorities, and causing widespread harm, including loss of life and property.
The group first appeared several years ago in villages across Sokoto and Kebbi states. Initially, Lakurawa members claimed to combat banditry and protect communities from cattle thieves. However, their tactics quickly escalated, with reports of members confiscating and destroying phones containing music, often flogging those who resisted.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized in the court documents that Lakurawa’s actions pose a severe threat to national security. Military spokesperson Major General Edward Buba previously linked the group’s rise to political instability in Mali and Niger, where military coups have been partly driven by Islamist insurgencies.
In a decisive ruling, Justice James Omotosho declared Lakurawa a terrorist organization and extended the ban to similar groups operating in Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North Central regions. This designation grants the Nigerian government extensive authority to take robust measures against the group, including arrests, prosecutions, asset freezes, and enhanced surveillance.
The move also raises concerns about potential public stigma and isolation for individuals associated with Lakurawa. Across Nigeria, especially in the north, fears are growing of a repeat of the Boko Haram crisis, which began in the late 2000s. Boko Haram, whose name translates to “Western education is forbidden,” gained global infamy after kidnapping over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014.
As Nigeria grapples with this new threat, the government’s decisive action against Lakurawa underscores the urgency of addressing the root causes of extremism and instability in the region.
