“This is Not a New Group… the DSS Was Aware” — ACF on Lakurawa Terror Group

In a recent statement, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has revealed that the Lakurawa terror group, which operates in parts of northern Nigeria, is not a new threat. According to Professor Muhammad-Baba Tukur, ACF’s Publicity Secretary, the group has been active since at least 2017 and previously engaged in negotiations with the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Defence Headquarters recently acknowledged Lakurawa as an emerging terrorist group in the North-West. However, during an appearance on Channels Television, Prof. Tukur provided further context, asserting that the group’s presence and activities have been known for several years. He explained that, during its initial emergence around 2017-2018, the DSS had already been aware of Lakurawa and even considered a temporary truce with the group.

“This is not a new group,” Tukur emphasized. “At least one journalist who covered the issue reported meeting with the DSS at that time. We believed the group had been expelled following that initial period of activity, only to learn later that an agreement had been reached. The terms reportedly allowed Lakurawa members to leave the area peacefully or face attack.”

Tukur elaborated that the group was given time to manage their assets, which included cattle—possibly acquired as religious zakat from locals—before relocating.