The Nigerian army has identified a supposed new terrorist group named Lakurawa, linked to the instability from recent Sahelian coups. Despite official claims, research indicates that Lakurawa has been operational since 1999, arising from local needs for security against banditry. This highlights the broader issues of ineffective governance and systemic insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest, necessitating a reevaluation of security strategies to address the underlying causes of violence.
Recent reports from the Nigerian army have introduced a supposed new terrorist group named Lakurawa, active along the Niger-Nigeria border in 2024. The army claims that this group is linked to broader terrorist networks in the Sahel region, attributing its emergence to ongoing political instability and insecurity following military coups in several Sahelian countries. However, experts assert that the Lakurawa have long been operational since 1999 and have evolved from herders into a well-integrated criminal entity.
Research by Murtala Ahmed Rufa’i, an associate professor of peace and conflict studies, indicates that the Lakurawa were initially called upon by local leaders to combat banditry but eventually turned against those very leaders. Today, they are known for promoting their extremist interpretation of Islam and imposing their authority through violence and intimidation in border communities. Rufa’i’s investigation highlights the historical context, noting the Lakurawa’s establishment coincided with security vacuums created by ineffective local governance and insufficient military response. Moreover, the porous nature of the Nigeria-Niger border exacerbates the situation, allowing for cross-border terrorism and the establishment of local jihadist movements.
This narrative of newly emerged terror groups helps to deflect criticism from state authorities regarding their failure to maintain security and protect citizens. The operational history of the Lakurawa, their integration into local socio-economic structures, and the absence of coherent government-led security strategies raise critical questions about Nigeria’s approach to combating terrorism. Previous military operations have not led to lasting solutions; instead, they have fostered further cycles of violence.
The complexity of insecurity in Nigeria’s north-west necessitates a reevaluation of security strategies, emphasizing local engagement and governance reforms. The long-term establishment of effective policing systems and enhanced cross-border cooperation with neighboring nations is essential to address the root causes of emerging groups like the Lakurawa, ensuring the safeguarding of community lives and property against further banditry and terror threats.
The emergence of the Lakurawa group highlights the deeper issues of insecurity plaguing the Sahelian region and its border areas with Nigeria. With ongoing military coups in Niger, Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, many analysts argue that the increasing insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest is a consequence of these political upheavals. Consequently, mislabeling groups like Lakurawa as newly formed terror entities distracts from an enduring security crisis that has historical roots dating back two decades. The region suffers from systemic poverty, governance failures, and a notable absence of government security presence, which has allowed armed groups to thrive and sometimes fill the void left by the state. Understanding the historical context and role of the Lakurawa in local dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat terrorism and re-establish governance and security.
In conclusion, the characterization of Lakurawa as a new terrorist threat serves to obscure the longer history of conflict and violence in the region. The group’s foundations were laid in a context of severe insecurity and local governance failures, which remain prevalent today. For Nigeria to effectively counter the rise of such groups, it must undertake a significant transformation in its security approach, focusing on local empowerment, preventive measures, and regional cooperation. Inadequate governmental responses only serve to perpetuate cycles of violence and insecurity, undermining national stability and security.
Original Source: www.defenceweb.co.za
