Give Kudos to Military for Their Initiative: Security Experts
By Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas
(Jos) Nigeria’s military is claiming it has the upper hand over the “Lakurawa” terrorist group, but the media frenzy around it has claimed the attention of Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru.
On Monday, November 18, Minister Badaru announced that the country’s military has dealt a significant blow to Lakurawa in Tangaza, within Augie county (Local Government Area) of Kebbi state, which borders Sokoto State. This development, while promising, underscores the growing complexity of the security landscape in Nigeria and the broader Sahel region.
The Military’s Response
Minister Badaru, who arrived in Sokoto from Katsina state, where the Nigeria Air Force launched new Air component platforms, including the latest version of the Nigerian Air Force’s attack helicopters, emphasized the military’s proactive approach.
“The military has taken advantage of the air component and dealt a heavy blow on the Lakurawa terrorist group,” he stated. Badaru’s visit to Sokoto was part of a broader strategy to inspect facilities and deploy additional air components and attack aircraft to the region, buttressing a year-long offensive against bandits in the Northwestern states.
Describing the military operation as “largely successful,” according to media reports, Badaru noted that the Lakurawa members had been successfully chased out of their locations, according to BBC Hausa. “The bandits are now running away and hiding because of the sustained firepower of the Nigeria military that is determined to restore normalcy in the country,” he said. “This is part of the commitment of this administration to crush bandits and terrorists. We are determined, we are focused, we will win,” Badaru said to BBC Hausa, which was carried by Tribune on Line.
The Lakurawa Threat
Lakurawa, translated from the French word “La recrue” meaning “the recruit,” first entered Nigeria in 2018, according to defense and security expert David Otto. The group, with a fighting force of about a thousand fighters, has been the subject of increasing concern among Nigerians, who fear that it could become another Boko Haram, if not properly handled.
Mallam Samaila Malik Tangaza, an Islamic cleric in Tangaza, spoke to TruthNigeria about the ideological underpinnings of Lakurawa. “They have an extremist ideology,” he said. “They seek to reform Islam, but the question is to what expense?” Tangaza’s concerns echo broader fears about the potential for Lakurawa to radicalize local populations and destabilize the region further.
The group is made up of Taureg, French and Arab fighters from Mali, Libya, Niger and Burkina Faso who are on a mission to establish an Islamic empire in the Sahel down to the coast of Ghana, a resident of Tangaza with close ties to the group confided to TruthNigeria.
Local Perspectives
Local residents have also borne the brunt of Lakurawa’s coercion. Mallam Tukur Tangaza, described the recent military operations to TruthNigeria. “I can confirm I heard explosions coming from the forest around Tangaza occupied by the Lakurawas,” he said. “With some military men and vehicles stationed in and around Augie, I also heard gunshots and we had to run into the house, away from where the gunshots came from. The military men asked us to stay indoors as they went in groups and in different directions after Lakurawa members who may have escaped the bombing by the military aircrafts and helicopters. We are indeed grateful as we have become slaves in our own lands, suffering from the punishments meted out on our people by the terrorist group, Lakurawa.”
The chairman of Illela local government area, Alhaji Mohammed Alaru, confirmed the military attack on the Lakurawa terrorist group. “It is a resounding success,” he said. “The military had used the community guards to gather intelligence before embarking on this laudable feat. The Lakurawas usually stay in the forests and occasionally come to villages to collect Zakkat and sometimes force people to follow their ideology. I can’t confirm the number of the terrorists killed until the military takes the count., “ Alaru said, adding: “But their homes in the forest are destroyed and they have been dislodged.”
Security Expert Opinions
Security experts have weighed in on the military’s operations against Lakurawa. Dr. Walid Abdullahi, a security expert based in Birnin-Kebbi, described the military operations as a “proactive move by the military. This should be sustained to ensure the Lakurawas, or any other bandit or terrorist groups do not return to occupy those areas.” Abdullahi said.
“This sort of proactiveness was missing in the last 8 years of Buhari’s government. I think we need to give kudos to the military,” he went on to say.
Mr. Paul Iwugiwei, a security analyst, emphasized the need for better governance of ungoverned spaces. “Those spaces should be marked as no-go areas for civilians and military bases stationed there for proper monitoring to prevent terrorists from occupying them. This should be the standard,” he said.
The Broader Implications
The emergence of Lakurawa is not just a local issue but a regional concern. The group’s activities in Nigeria have broader implications for the Sahel region, which is already grappling with the threat of terrorism. The United States, with significant interests in the region, should be particularly worried about the rise of Lakurawa. The group’s extremist ideology and potential to radicalize local populations could exacerbate the security challenges in the Sahel, posing a threat to US interests and regional stability.
While Nigeria’s military claims victory over Lakurawa, the emergence of this new terror group underscores the ongoing challenges in the fight against terrorism. The international community, particularly the United States, must remain vigilant and support efforts to address the root causes of these security threats. Only through sustained and coordinated efforts can the region hope to overcome the growing menace of terrorism.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
