From Love at First Sight to Public Enemy: The Emergent Lakurawa Terrorist in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is grappling with various forms of insecurity, notably the threats posed by Boko Haram, Ansaru, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and banditry, among others. Adding to these challenges is the rise of Lakurawa, a group initially established as a friendly force but which has since evolved into a violent terrorist organisation. This paper investigates the group's emergence, its transformation into a violent entity, and the government’s responses to this new threat. Using the fragile and failed state framework and documentary sources, the study reveals that despite recent claims of Lakurawa being a new group, it has been active in Nigeria for some time. Initially invited to protect communities from internal bandits, the group later turned violent, adopting extremist traits that now pose significant risks not only to Nigeria but also to the wider Sahel region. The paper emphasises the importance of addressing the root causes of state fragility arising from tackling unemployment and poverty, climate change, porous borders, and ungoverned spaces.