Bulama Bukarti, a senior fellow with the Extremism Policy Unit at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, raised concerns on Monday about the increasing surveillance activities of the Lakurawa insurgent group in Nigeria’s North-West region. Bukarti, a human rights lawyer, highlighted that the group, suspected to have originated from the Republic of Niger, is equipped with drones to monitor villages and military bases.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Bukarti explained that the group claims to fight only government authorities rather than civilians, presenting themselves in a manner similar to police. “They possess not only heavy weaponry but also drones, which they use for surveillance,” Bukarti said. “Their ideology mirrors Boko Haram’s, even if they claim to be protecting civilians.”
The Lakurawa group recently attacked Mera town in Kebbi State, resulting in 15 civilian deaths, further underscoring its aggressive tactics. Bukarti, who has extensively researched Boko Haram, dismissed the notion that this group is new. He noted that the Lakurawa insurgency has not gained local support, as they are perceived as outsiders.
Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, Publicity Secretary for the Arewa Consultative Forum, echoed Bukarti’s concerns. Muhammad-Baba confirmed the group’s presence since 2017 and alleged that Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has been aware of its activities. He warned that Lakurawa could soon enforce closures of local schools and clinics to establish authority over communities.
Both experts called for immediate action to prevent the insurgents from gaining further control and posing an additional security threat in a region already affected by bandit violence and unrest.
