Lakurawa Jihadists Militia: A Threat to Security and Socioeconomic Development in Sokoto State, Nigeria
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The study examined Lakurawa militia and its threat to security and development in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Arms proliferation, large forest and ungoverned spaces have led to the emergence of the so-called Jihadists militia groups in Nigeria such as Lakurawa, Boko Haram, Ansaru, Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP), Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and armed bandits. The presence of Lakurawa terrorist group in Nigerian territory question the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. The Lakurawa operates along Niger-Nigeria border communities originating from Sahelian countries with a strong claim to the Jihadist culture like other extreme Jihadis groups in the Sahel. The Lakurawa is known as Jama’atul Musulumina. The members of the group came from different nationals among Sahelian countries. They used sophisticated weapons given them advantage to commit atrocities like killing, maiming, kidnapping, cattle rustling, mass looting and raiding villages across Nigeria-Niger borders. The paper adopted the Routine Activity Theory as its theoretical framework. The population of the study include: vigilante group, community leaders and the general public residing at Tangaza, local government of Sokoto State affected by Lakurawa militia. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the participants, in-depth interview (IDI) was the major instrument for data collection. Findings of the study revealed that, the activities of Lakurawa militia in Sokoto state is affecting farming and pastoralism as the major occupations in the state. This leads to poverty, hunger and food insecurity in the affected communities. The paper recommends among others that; government should intensify efforts along with the Republic of Nigeria in combating the Lakurawa terrorist. This is because they operate along Nigeria-Niger boarder and it will help in maintaining law and order.
Institutions: Federal University Dutse, Sokoto State University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220349141