Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) , Mike Ejiofor, has clarified that Lakurawa, a militant group causing significant unrest in northwestern Nigeria, is not a new insurgent faction.
Despite recent concerns, Ejiofor emphasized that the group’s origins trace back several years.
Just last week, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters announced Lakurawa as an emerging threat in Sokoto and Kebbi states, identifying it as a dangerous addition to the list of terror groups destabilizing the North-West. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the group has exacerbated the already challenging security situation in the region. However, he assured that the Nigerian military is actively working to suppress and contain their activities.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’sSunrise Daily, Ejiofor provided context, noting that Lakurawa has long existed and was active before these recent developments. According to Ejiofor, Lakurawa members are primarily non-Nigerians, with origins linked to Niger Republic and Mali. He shared a brief history, tracing their formation back to a vigilante group organized by the late Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, a former military head of state of Niger. Originally, this group served under Maïnassara’s regime as a local security force. However, after his death, the government in Niger overlooked them, leading to their eventual disbandment and migration across borders.
Ejiofor recounted that some local leaders in Sokoto State initially invited Lakurawa members into Nigeria, hoping they could assist with security concerns. However, the group’s underlying motives soon became apparent. By 2018, the Sokoto State government recognized the escalating threat posed by Lakurawa and initiated negotiations to expel them. Although the faction originating from Mali agreed to leave, some members from Niger chose to remain, continuing their disruptive activities within Nigeria.
Ejiofor’s comments shed light on the complex history of Lakurawa and underscore the persistent security challenges posed by foreign-linked insurgent groups operating across West African borders.
