US and Nigerian Forces Strike Islamist Militant Group Lakurawa in Sokoto State
Lakurawa is a heavily armed Islamist militant group operating in Tangaza, Sokoto state, near the Niger border, with bases in arid savannah and highlands. The group is reported by locals to originate from Niger and Mali, communicating in Fulfulde and Hausa.
US and Nigerian authorities have stated that Lakurawa is affiliated with Islamic State groups in the Sahel region, although IS has not publicly acknowledged a connection to Lakurawa. On Christmas night, US missiles struck two Lakurawa camps approximately 10 kilometers from Nukuru. Initial reports indicate damage and fear among the group, but casualty figures remain unclear.
Locals describe the militants as de facto rulers who impose harsh rules, collect taxes, and retaliate by attacking or stealing livestock if locals do not comply. Women and families are believed not to live inside the camps. The security situation in the area remains dire due to minimal government presence, poor infrastructure, and the risk of land mines, necessitating police escorts for travel. A similar strike near Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa during the previous Christmas reportedly resulted in around 10 civilian deaths.
Nigeria officially designated Lakurawa as a terrorist organization about one month after President Trump's inauguration. Trump described recent strikes as actions against vicious killings of Christians, while Nigeria’s foreign minister emphasized that the military operation was a joint effort and not based on religion.
This development comes amidst Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, which includes Boko Haram activity in the northeast and banditry in the northwest. Lakurawa continues its recruitment efforts and internal developments, influenced by cross-border ties and local recruitment within the region.
