Lakurawa: how security agents bolster Tajje and his boys, by Yemi Adebowale

Residents of Kwalajiya village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State are still in tears; tears for loved ones killed by Lakurawa terrorists during the invasion of their village last Monday, July 1. Leader of the terror group, Ameer Habib Tajje, led this attack that resulted in the butchery of 15 hapless residents. It was a reprisal following the killing of some members of the group by Kwalajiya’s security men during an earlier attack on the community. This time around, the notorious Tajje and his boys overpowered the villagers. As usual, security agents failed to respond to the distress calls of the residents. It is shocking that the terrorists these terrorists operated in Kwalajiya village for hours unhindered. They were not in a hurry to leave because they knew security agents would not respond.

For those not following what the deadly Lakurawa is all about, here is a quick recap. It is the first of the two new terror groups to emerge under the Tinubu government. The second one is the Mahmuda terror group that operates in Baruten and Kaiama LGAs of Kwara State.

Lakurawa started in Sokoto State early in 2024, and then established cells in Kebbi State. Their activities are concentrated in five LGAs of Sokoto State – Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Binji, and Silame. In Kebbi State, they are active in Augie and Arewa Local LGAs. The group is affiliated to the Islamic State Sahel Province operating in Nigeria, Mali and Niger Republic. In the last ten months, Lakurawa terrorists have been killing, maiming and abducting for money in Sokoto and Kebbi states. The terrorists often impose levies on many communities in these two states. Failure to pay attracts deadly penalties.

The devil the Nigerian authorities officially declared as a terror group in November 2024 is expanding because of the failings of our security agents. Lakurawa started very small in Sokoto State and moved into Kebbi State because it was not quickly nipped in the bud. Now, the bastards are controlling ten LGAs in Sokoto and Kebbi states. If Lakurawa had been suppressed at an early stage, Sokoto and Kebbi states will not be in this mess. That was how Boko Haram started and became a massive monster because it was not quickly nipped in the bud by our hopeless security agents.

Now, our security agents even embolden Lakurawa by not responding swiftly to distress calls of communities. More often than not, they arrive when terrorists must have departed crime scenes. Between March and April this year, communities in Augie and Arewa Local LGAs were repeatedly attacked without appropriate response to the distress calls. Even in some Sokoto and Kebbi communities where Lakurawa terrorists are seated permanently, traumatised residents are still waiting for security agents to come and clear them.

It is not too late to move against Lakurawa. This group is still small. It has an estimated 300 fighters. They must be destroyed at this early stage. Today, I am challenging our military authorities to launch a massive operation in Kebbi and Sokoto states to destroy and end Lakurawa. This reign of terror must end. They must be swiftly wiped out. The only way to end terrorism is by killing terrorists. Communities under Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states must be liberated. Ameer Tajje and his boys must be destroyed. The Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, must order the military to implement this task, with a deadline. This is the only way forward.