A federal court in Nigeria has officially designated the Islamist Lakurawa group as a terrorist organisation, a move enabling the military to intensify operations against the group, which has recently heightened insecurity in the northwest.
The ruling, issued on Thursday by Judge James Omotosho, prohibits any affiliation with or participation in the sect’s activities. The Justice Ministry, led by Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed the development in a statement released Friday.
The Lakurawa group, operating predominantly in the northwestern Kebbi and Sokoto states, has added to Nigeria’s security challenges. The nation is already grappling with threats from Boko Haram, its splinter faction Islamic State West Africa Province, and various armed bandit groups.
This latest designation underscores the increasing security concerns in Nigeria’s northern regions.