‘Unprecedented Regional Threat’: Security Expert
By Steven Kefas and Segun Onibiyo
(Kaduna) As Lakurawa militants push for an Islamic caliphate from Sahel to the coast of Ghana, Nigeria’s Army has deployed special forces, marking a crucial shift in strategy.
Military Response
In a significant military response to the growing threat of the Lakurawa sect, the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has ordered the deployment of a Special Operations Brigade to the country’s northwestern region.
This move comes weeks after Defense Minister Abubakar Badaru’s assurance of military readiness to combat foreign terrorists, suggesting a gap between rhetoric and action in Nigeria’s security response, according to security experts speaking to TruthNigeria.
Expanding Threat
The deployment, announced on December 13, 2024, follows reports of Lakurawa’s expanding influence across the region. “What we’re witnessing is not just another insurgent group,” says Dr. Walid Abdullahi, a security analyst based in Birnin-Kebbi. “Lakurawa represents a sophisticated network with transnational ambitions, drawing fighters from Mali, Libya, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Their goal of establishing a caliphate from the Sahel to Ghana’s coast poses an unprecedented threat to regional stability,” Dr. Abdullahi told TruthNigeria.
Military Victories
Recent operations under Operation Forest Sanity III have yielded some success, with military forces destroying 22 camps and recovering significant ammunition caches. However, security experts suggest these achievements might only scratch the surface of the group’s capabilities.
Evolving Threat
“The Lakurawa threat has evolved beyond typical insurgency,” explains Dr. Ndatsu Abdulazeez, a security consultant based in Minna, Niger speaking to TruthNigeria. “Their presence in Zamfara state, as confirmed by the police recently, indicates a strategic expansion pattern that mirrors early Boko Haram tactics. The difference is their international backing and sophisticated recruitment networks.”
Recruitment Tactics
The group’s rapid expansion in Kebbi and Sokoto states has raised serious concerns among security analysts. TruthNigeria reports indicate that Lakurawa has been exploiting local grievances and economic hardships to recruit young people, offering them financial incentives and ideological motivation. Their tactics include establishing shadow governments in remote villages and enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law.
International Concern
The potential establishment of another caliphate in the west African region could create a dangerous corridor for international terrorism, threatening U.S. interests and regional allies. American intelligence sources have reportedly identified links between Lakurawa and other terrorist organizations operating in the Sahel region.
Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, addressing troops on behalf of Theatre Commander Major General Oluyinka Soyele, emphasized the mission’s critical nature. The operation targets key areas including Rumji Dutse, Sarma, Tsauna, and several forest enclaves across Illela, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas.
Military successes so far include:
– Destruction of 22 terrorist camps
– Recovery of four rifles
– Seizure of 409 rounds of PKT 7.62mm NATO ammunition
– Capture of 94 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
However, these achievements must be viewed against Lakurawa’s growing sophistication. TruthNigeria’s November investigation revealed the group’s complex operational structure, including:
– Advanced recruitment networks
– International funding channels
– Sophisticated weapons procurement systems
– Strategic alliance-building with local criminal networks
“The situation requires a comprehensive approach,” Abdullahi adds. “Military action alone won’t solve the problem. We need to address the socio-economic conditions that make communities vulnerable to Lakurawa’s influence,” he told TruthNigeria.
Implications for Regional Security
The implications for regional security are profound. “This isn’t just Nigeria’s fight,” Dr. Abdullahi emphasizes. “If Lakurawa succeeds in establishing footholds in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, we’re looking at a potential domino effect across West Africa. The international community, particularly the United States, needs to recognize this as a critical battleground in the global fight against terrorism. As these states are bordered by countries where there has been push against terrorist groups, who have now found a new home in Nigeria.”
Local communities have reported increasing instances of Lakurawa’s presence in previously peaceful areas. The group has been known to establish makeshift courts, impose taxes, and enforce their interpretation of Islamic law in territories under their influence. Their ability to move freely across borders has complicated military efforts to contain their expansion.
Lakurawa in Bauchi
TruthNigeria also gathered from sources in Bauchi State that Lakurawa has set up cells in the state. An intelligence officer in Bauchi who spoke to TruthNigeria on condition of anonymity affirmed their presence. “I can confirm to you that Lakurawa have cells in Bauchi state even though they haven’t really carried out any threat in the state,” he said.
The group’s choice to set up cells in Bauchi is no surprise as Boko Haram in its early days also had cells in the state and began it’s violent campaigns from there.
What’s Ahead for the Military
The Special Operations Brigade faces significant challenges, including difficult terrain, complex local politics, and the need to protect civilian populations while targeting militant elements. Their success will depend not only on military prowess but also on effective intelligence gathering and community cooperation.
“The next few months will be crucial,” said Abdulazeez. “The Brigade needs to disrupt Lakurawa’s command structure and cut off their supply lines before they can further entrench themselves into these communities.”
The deployment of the Special Operations Brigade represents a crucial test of Nigeria’s military capability to contain and eliminate this emerging threat. Success or failure here could determine the trajectory of Islamic militancy in West Africa for years to come.
International observers are watching closely, as the outcome of this operation could have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability. The United States and other Western allies have expressed willingness to provide intelligence support and technical assistance, recognizing the strategic importance of preventing another terrorist stronghold in West Africa.
As the special forces prepare for what could be a protracted campaign, the question remains whether this deployment comes too late to prevent Lakurawa’s entrenchment in the region. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Nigeria can effectively counter this latest threat to regional stability and prevent the establishment of another terrorist stronghold in West Africa.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
