How Herdsmen Invited New Terrorist Group, Lakurawa, to Sokoto

The recently reported emergence of the Lakurawa terrorist group in the northwest did not occur overnight, as some may have believed. The group, which was raised in an alarming report by the military last week, has deep-rooted connections dating back to 2018 when it began operating in the Gongono Forest, located in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The story traces back to December 16, 2018, when Ibrahim Bello, the then Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Sokoto, reached out to me during a visit to my village. He revealed disturbing news about the presence of a terrorist group in the area. According to Bello, the group had been supported by the state government, under then-Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who provided aid to security forces, including the DSS, Police, and Army, to expel the extremists from Gongono Forest. In response, the security forces pursued the militants, resulting in the death of several of their members and the destruction of their hideout in the forest.

The group, however, was given a brief extension by a few of its members, citing the need to relocate cattle after sending one of their own to Lagos. They claimed to have come to the area at the request of nomadic herdsmen who sought protection from bandits that plagued the region. Upon their arrival, the jihadists, reportedly from Niger, Mali, Algeria, and Libya, established a stronghold, enforcing strict Islamic practices. They imposed bans on smoking, alcohol, and adultery, mandated the wearing of hijabs for women, and enforced the giving of zakat (charitable donations) from Fulani herders with large herds of cattle.

The group’s re-emergence can likely be attributed to the strategic location of the Gongono Forest, which borders both Niger and Algeria, providing a perfect hideout for the jihadists. This area has long been a base for extremist groups, including those from Mali, who sought to establish training camps for Islamic fundamentalism.

In their first clash with security forces, a number of extremists were killed, and a flag, resembling that of Al-Shabaab, was recovered. Despite these developments, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association controversially denied the terrorist nature of the group, insisting they were merely herdsmen from Mali, and called for them to be left undisturbed.

Sani Alhaji Yakubu, the member of the National Assembly for the affected area, revealed that the terrorists had allied with local bandits, making it increasingly difficult for security forces to maintain control. He urged the military to deploy more personnel to tackle the growing threat, as local farmers in the area have suffered from constant attacks and cattle rustling.

The first known victim of the group’s violence was the District Head of Balle, Magajin Garin Balle, who was beheaded after a dispute with the group’s members.

The emergence of Lakurawa is a major security concern, with the group now believed to be operating across Sokoto and Kebbi states. The Defence Headquarters recently confirmed that the group has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is spreading terror across the region.

Maj-Gen Edward Buba, the Defence Headquarters spokesperson, assured the public that security forces are now focusing their efforts on dismantling Lakurawa’s strongholds. However, it appears the group’s presence was largely ignored by locals until they began their violent activities, which have since escalated into widespread destruction.