The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, issued an order declaring the Lakurawa sect a terrorist organization.
The court also banned similar groups operating in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.
Justice James Omotosho made the ruling following an ex parte motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, sought four key orders.
David Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, moved the motion, which was dated January 13 and filed on January 14 by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar.
In his affidavit, Michael Akawu, a litigation officer with the Department of Public Prosecutions, revealed that he had the consent of the director to submit the affidavit.
Akawu stated that he had reasonable grounds to believe the Lakurawa sect met the criteria for proscription under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, noting their involvement in acts of terrorism, such as cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking, attacking government officials, assaulting security personnel, and spreading their ideology to local communities.
He further argued that these actions have caused harm, injuries, loss of life, and property damage to innocent citizens and posed a significant threat to Nigeria’s national security, public peace, and order.
The court granted the application, issuing a declaration that the Lakurawa sect and similar groups are terrorist organizations.
Justice Omotosho stated: “It is hereby ordered as follows. That an order is hereby made declaring the activities of the Lakurawa sect and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria as acts of terrorism and illegality.”
He further ordered the proscription of the sect and similar groups in Nigeria, banning individuals from participating in any activities related to them, under any name.
The Lakurawa sect, believed to have infiltrated Nigeria from neighbouring Niger and Mali, has been a rising concern due to its violent activities, including the recent killings in Kebbi and Sokoto states.
Initially formed around 2016 or 2017 in Sokoto as a self-defense militia to combat banditry, it evolved into a radical faction enforcing strict religious laws and controlling local communities.
Their violent actions have now spread to Kebbi, where they have been involved in cattle rustling and other criminal activities, such as the deadly attack on Mera village in Nov 2024.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has identified Lakurawa as a terrorist group affiliated with extremist factions from Mali and Niger, contributing to the ongoing insecurity in the northwestern region.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday called for military intervention to eliminate criminal elements operating in notorious forests and blackspots across northern Nigeria.
Ganduje made this appeal during a visit to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago.
In a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje emphasized the need for proactive military measures to rid the region of bandits, citing his previous success in transforming the Falgore forest into a military training ground during his tenure as the governor of Kano State.
Ganduje remarked, “I am advocating for military intervention in these forests. The solution to this menace is to conquer the forest. The bandits are in the forest. Why have we been on the defensive instead of being on the offensive? When I was the governor of Kano State, I requested, through the Federal Government, that the military take over Falgore forest and build a military training ground there. That was how bandits were chased away from that forest and Kano is at peace.”
He also praised Governor Bago’s efforts in maintaining peace in Niger State, despite its vast landmass and numerous forests, and extended condolences over the recent tragic petrol tanker explosion in the state that claimed over 80 lives.
Governor Bago, in response, expressed his gratitude to the APC leadership for their support and urged the Federal Government to focus on improving critical infrastructure, such as the Suleja-Minna road, to enhance safety in the state.
He said, “On behalf of the Niger people, we appreciate this visit. We are doing a lot to create awareness among our people about the dangers of scooping fuel whenever such an accident occurs.”
