KEY POINTS
- Lukarawa established camps in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
- The group uses taxes and threats to control villagers.
- Security forces pledge to eliminate the group’s threat.
The Lukarawa terror group established camps in 10 local government areas across Sokoto and Bauchi states before their activities became public three weeks ago, according to Sunday PUNCH.
Origins and expansion of the Lukarawa terror group
Sources said the group initially set up camps near the Nigeria-Niger border in villages such as Gwanaguano, Mulawa, Wassinya, and Turigaic. They later infiltrated Nigeria, establishing camps in Gudu and Tangaza local government areas of Sokoto State in 2018.
Leaders of the group, identified as Abu Khadijah, Abdulrahaman (Idi), Dadi Gumba, Muhammed Abu, Usman Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Walia, Ibrahim Suyaka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse, preach in Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic. Their camps are called “Darul Islam.”
Punch stated that a Tangaza community leader said the group collects taxes from villagers by counting their cattle and taking a percentage. Although initially nonviolent, they were involved in a recent attack in Mera.
Dr. Murtala Rufa’i, a researcher at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, said the group had been working to establish a caliphate for over 25 years.
“They have camps across Sokoto and Kebbi states but are always on the move, primarily on motorcycles, making them hard to track,” he said.
The group has 1,500 to 1,800 members, including clerics and youths, and was dislodged by security agents in 2020 but regrouped in December 2023. Their activities have since spread to 10 areas, including Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Gwadabawa, Kware, Silame, and Binji in Sokoto, as well as Augie, Kangiwa, and Argungu in Kebbi.
Authorities promise action against Lukarawa’s resurgence
Rufa’i said the group is linked to a Malian-based network, Jama’atu Muslimina, and led by Ahmadu Kofa, whose ancestors originated from Kofa in the old Kebbi Empire.
“They attract locals with money, farm tools, and pumping machines, exploiting hunger to recruit members,” he said. He described them as criminals using religion as a cover.
Residents fear reporting them due to threats, including claims of drone surveillance. “The locals are too scared to discuss them,” Rufa’i added.
According to punch, Major General Adamu Laka, national coordinator of a counter-terrorism center, said the group’s numbers are between 150 and 200. Speaking in Abuja, he assured Nigerians that security forces are working to neutralize the threat.
“They lack the strength to expand beyond their current areas,” Laka said, urging calm while discouraging fearmongering.
Security analyst Kabir Adamu criticized poor intelligence coordination, saying, “The group should have been identified and eliminated earlier.”
