A new jihadist group named Lakurawa has emerged in northwest Nigeria, particularly affecting Sokoto State. This group operates with extreme coercion, enforcing religious practices, collecting taxes, and imposing forced marriages on the local population. They have grown powerful, leveraging fear and presenting themselves as protectors against banditry, while simultaneously imposing strict governance that disrupts community stability.
The emergence of a new jihadist group in northwest Nigeria, known as Lakurawa, raises significant security concerns. This group has recently claimed jihad and predominantly operates within four local government areas: Binji, Gudu, Tangaza, and Silame in Sokoto State. Notably, they have garnered attention for their aggressive enforcement of religious practices, coercive taxation, and forced marriages, all while presenting themselves as a solution against local banditry. The group reportedly infiltrated these areas from the Sahel region, including Niger and Mali, after experiencing pressures within their home country. Lakurawa’s modus operandi includes preaching against various social norms, pushing the community to reject the police and military, and promoting strict interpretations of religious conduct. They communicate in multiple languages to reach diverse populations effectively and have reportedly gained some community support by eliminating bandits in the region. However, their activities quickly shifted from protectors to oppressors, enforcing stringent behavioral regulations and threatening punishment for various offenses, particularly targeting youth and women. Recruitment practices are equally concerning, as they appeal to community members to assist in enforcing their rules, often leading to coercive dynamics where individuals feel compelled to comply to avoid severe repercussions. The community’s fear of the group surpasses that of police or military forces, resulting in disturbances to local governance and social structures. As part of their extortion efforts, Lakurawa has initiated a taxation system that burdens families with supply requirements, such as mandatory contributions of beans and millet, alongside mandatory Zakah payments, with severe consequences for non-compliance. The community also faces the distressing reality of forced marriages, with several families seeing their daughters compelled into unions with group members, illustrating the profound impact of Lakurawa’s presence. This organization is reportedly well-funded, boasting a membership exceeding one thousand, equipped with modern technology and resources, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation in northwest Nigeria.
Lakurawa is a new jihadist faction reported to have risen in northwest Nigeria, taking advantage of recent military coups in the Sahel region that have disrupted local security cooperation. This group has established a significant presence in several local government areas, fostering fear and compliance among residents through coercive measures. Local reports indicate that Lakurawa’s influence extends from their origins in the Sahel, leveraging local grievances regarding banditry to gain initial support before imposing their authoritarian rule. Acknowledgments from Nigerian defense officials legitimize concerns surrounding this group’s disruptive impact on civil order and community safety.
The situation surrounding the Lakurawa group in northwest Nigeria presents a complex challenge to both local communities and national security efforts. Their methods of enforcing compliance and exploiting social systems reflect a deepening crisis exacerbated by regional instability and the weakening of traditional governance structures. As residents grapple with fear and coercion, the call for decisive action from security forces and international allies grows increasingly urgent to restore peace and protect vulnerable populations from such extremist influences.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
