Nigeria’s military has issued a warning about a new insurgent group, Lakurawas, that has infiltrated the country’s northwest region from neighboring Niger and Mali.
The group, an affiliate of militias operating in the Sahel region, has been active in the states of Sokoto and Kebbi.
While the group’s exact ideology remains unclear, its emergence is linked to the July 2023 coup in Niger, which disrupted joint military patrols along the border.
Despite the resumption of patrols, the military remains vigilant against further infiltration attempts.
Nigeria is already grappling with a long-standing insurgency in its northeast, primarily driven by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The emergence of Lakurawas adds another layer of complexity to the country’s security challenges.
The northwest region has been plagued by attacks from armed gangs and kidnappings for ransom.
Last month, the military reported significant successes in the region, including the killing of 163 insurgents, the arrest of 82, and the rescue of over 80 kidnapped individuals.