Human rights advocate Audu Bulama Bukarti has raised serious concerns about the Lakurawa, a newly identified extremist group that has gained influence in certain communities in Kebbi State, Nigeria.
According to Bukarti, the group has effectively assumed the roles traditionally held by local leaders, mediating conflicts and exerting control over community disputes. This growing authority undermines the role of Kebbi’s traditional rulers, who have been compelled to cede their responsibilities out of fear for their safety.
In a recent interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Bukarti explained that the Lakurawa have been present in Nigeria for approximately six years and warned that the group could become a significant threat. “They are potentially very dangerous,” Bukarti stated, drawing parallels with the early days of Boko Haram, which later evolved into a transnational terror organization. He noted that Boko Haram had been allowed to grow unchecked, using criminal activities like kidnapping to amass resources and weaponry over time. Although the Lakurawa are not yet as organized or deadly as Boko Haram, Bukarti emphasized that their trajectory could be similar if preventive measures are not taken.
Bukarti described how the Lakurawa have entrenched themselves so deeply in Kebbi State that it is almost impossible to travel five kilometers in some areas without encountering their members. Entire villages are reportedly under their control, and they have prohibited traditional leaders from intervening in local disputes. Instead, locals are compelled to seek judgment from the Lakurawa on matters ranging from neighborly disagreements to conflicts between farmers and herders. Fearing retribution, traditional leaders comply with these rules, as defiance could lead to deadly consequences.
Bukarti elaborated on the methods used by the Lakurawa in their de facto judicial role: “If farmers experience encroachment by herders, they turn to the Lakurawa for resolution. The group holds hearings, determines fault, and may order compensation.” This shift has created a new power structure within these communities, where residents increasingly rely on the Lakurawa for governance in lieu of recognized authorities.
Supporting Bukarti’s warnings, Professor Tukur Muhammed Baba, the publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, expressed grave concerns about the implications of the Lakurawa’s actions for national security. In his assessment, the group’s growing authority threatens to introduce a foreign justice system within Nigerian communities. This imposition of unregulated and unfamiliar practices creates tension and undermines established governance.
Professor Baba highlighted the risks associated with the Lakurawa’s influence, noting that they have introduced new and often arbitrary codes for resolving disputes. He cautioned that these actions could extend further to impact education, health, and other essential services, such as closing local schools and clinics. Comparing this to established Islamic legal systems like those in Sokoto State, Baba explained that the Lakurawa’s approach lacks legitimacy and could erode community stability.
This situation, both experts agree, demands urgent action to prevent the Lakurawa from solidifying their control further. Their takeover of traditional roles and the possible spread of their influence to other community areas are likely to worsen without intervention, posing a growing threat to peace and security in the region.
