Insights
Lakurawa began as a self-defense group around 2010, emerging from nomadic herder communities in Mali and Niger. Initially, they were welcomed by rural populations in Sokoto and Kebbi states desperate for protection against cattle rustlers and armed bandits. Communities hailed them as heroes, believing they had found in them the defenders the government failed to provide.
But like many such groups across Africa, the Lakurawa evolved from guardians to enforcers. By 2024, their operations expanded beyond defense into organized domination. Villages once under their protection became territories of control. Farmers were taxed. Community leaders who resisted were labeled enemies. Women reported forced marriages. Entire villages began living under what could only be described as militia rule.
Violence Escalates, Communities Pay the Price
In March 2025, six villages in Kebbi State, including Birnin Dede, were reportedly overrun by Lakurawa militants. At least 16 people were killed in coordinated attacks that shocked even hardened security observers. Hundreds of families fled, abandoning their homes, farms, and livestock.
This was not an isolated incident. Reports show a steady rise in violence attributed to Lakurawa from January to April 2025. Sokoto alone recorded nine violent incidents in April, up from five in January. Kebbi followed closely with eight incidents in April, nearly tripling its January figure.
These communities, already stretched thin by poverty and weak governance, are now caught between fear and survival.
Lakurawa’s Rising Attacks in Sokoto and Kebbi (Jan-Apr 2025)
Government Response: Too Little, Too Late?
After months of mounting pressure, the Nigerian Federal High Court declared Lakurawa a terrorist organization in January 2025. This was followed by military offensives that destroyed 22 militia camps in Sokoto and Kebbi. Several arms were recovered. But the relief was short-lived.
Security experts warn that the militia has since splintered into smaller, harder-to-track factions. Their mobility and knowledge of the terrain give them an edge against conventional military tactics. Villagers report that the group’s influence has not disappeared - it has simply gone underground, biding time, regrouping, and adapting.
How Communities Can Stay Alert and Protect Themselves
Residents must take security into their own hands - not through violence, but through collective vigilance. Community members should document militia activities quietly - photos, testimonies, and voice recordings can provide critical evidence to security agencies and human rights organizations.
Villages should establish community-led safety committees that work with trusted security forces. Early warning systems - whether by word-of-mouth, village messengers, or digital channels like WhatsApp - can prevent surprise attacks.
If you witness unusual gatherings, strange movements of armed individuals, or unfamiliar faces claiming authority, do not confront them directly. Report to trusted local leaders, religious heads, or security personnel. Your voice can save lives.
Because when defenders become dictators, silence is no longer an option.
The Risk Control Team