Lakurawa

Lakurawa
Leaders	Ameer Habib Tajje
Dates of operation	c. 2016 or 2018 – present
Active regions	Northern Nigeria, Mali, Niger
Ideology	Islamism
Allies	Islamic State (alleged)
Opponents	Nigeria Some Nigerian bandit groups
Battles and wars	Nigerian bandit conflict

Lakurawa is an armed group reportedly affiliated with extremist organizations operating in the Sahel region, particularly in Mali and Niger. They have begun making inroads into Northern Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto and Kebbi states. Their activities are concentrated in five local government areas of Sokoto State, namely: Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Binji, and Silame. Initially founded as a self-defense group to fight criminals in the Nigerian bandit conflict, the group eventually became increasingly radical, oppressive, and opposed to regular state agencies. Lakurawa has allegedly connections to the Islamic State, and was described as a "terrorist" group in 2024.

History

Lakurawa reportedly first emerged in the Gongono Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in 2018. According to other sources, Lakurawa has existed since around 2016/2017, and the Nigerian government was reportedly aware of its existence. The group initially presented itself as a self-defense force, set up to help communities in northern Nigeria to defend themselves from increasingly frequent bandit attacks. Feeling abandoned by the Nigerian security forces, many locals welcomed Lakurawa's rise at first, but the group became increasingly radical and oppressive over time. Concentrating on other targets, the Nigerian security forces also tolerated the militia during its first years.

By 2023, Lakurawa had become a greater problem to many northern Nigerian communities than the bandits, as it raised taxes, attacked security forces, imposed Islamist laws, and killed civilians. In November 2024, the militia was officially called a "terrorist" group by Nigerian authorities; by this point, it had some presence in an area covering about 500 villages. In the same month, militants of the group attacked Mera village in Augie local government area of Kebbi state where they killed 15–25 people.

Leadership, beliefs, and organization

By 2024, Ameer Habib Tajje serves as the leader of Lakurawa. He recently made headlines by releasing a warning to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, urging him to relinquish his criminal activities.

Lakurawa claims to protect against bandits, but imposes strict religious laws, and youths have been beaten for shaving beards, having hairstyles, or listening to music, revealing a troubling dual agenda. Lakurawa is affiliated with the Islamic State according to the Nigerian Defense Headquarters. They enforce zakkat payment, confiscating cattle from non-compliers. Similar to Boko Haram, they communicate in Azbinanci, Zabarmanci, Barbanci, and Hausa. Lakurawa recruits youths with ₦1,000,000.