Crime
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) has officially recognized the Lakurawa Group as its clandestine operational wing, formalizing a strategic corridor between its two major factions EIGS (Islamic State in the Greater Sahara) operating in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) active around Lake Chad.
The announcement, made in the wake of two deadly attacks on May 4 in Niger, marks a significant shift in the regional security landscape. On that day, armed militants attacked Dogonkiria in Dosso region, killing at least 30 security force personnel, and Danga in Tillabéri region, where six volunteer fighters for the defense of the homeland (VDPs) were slain.
Zagazola Makama believes the operational link now established between the Sarma Forest in Nigeria and Anderamboukane in Mali via central Niger will enable increased mobility for fighters, arms trafficking, intelligence sharing, and hostage transfers. This corridor, long suspected by observers, has now been confirmed as a key axis for extremist logistics.
Sources say the emergence of ISSP reflects a new phase in Islamic State operations in the region, marked by greater coordination, territorial fluidity, and strategic exploitation of Niger’s governance and airspace gaps particularly since the withdrawal or downsizing of key international security partners.
Zagazola reports that the central strip of Niger already marked by repeated attacks, pipeline sabotage, and mass civilian casualties is increasingly falling under the shadow of ISSP. Many of these incidents had previously gone unclaimed but are now attributed to the group’s covert campaign to secure this critical transit route.
Zagazola warn that if the current trend continues unchecked, the entire security architecture of West Africa may be destabilized, with spillover effects extending beyond the Sahel to Nigeria.
He called for renewed multilateral cooperation and intelligence-sharing, transcending political divisions and post-coup dynamics.
In recent months, Zagazola had raised alarm over the quiet expansion of Lakurawa, cautioning that the group was a proxy for EIGS. The confirmation by ISSP now validates those concerns, signaling an urgent need for proactive counterterrorism measures and regional solidarity.
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
Two herders attacked, robbed in Taraba community
By: Zagazola Makama
Two herders have been attacked and robbed by suspected hoodlums while grazing their cattle in Wuro Bogga village, Tau Ward of Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Zagazola gathered that the victims, identified as Bello Umar, 28, and Isah Alhaji Ruwa, 27, were assaulted with machetes and sticks during the attack, which occurred at about 7 a.m. on Monday.
The attackers reportedly dispossessed the herders of an undisclosed sum of money before fleeing the scene.
Residents said the victims suspected the assailants to be from Laize village within the same Tau Ward.
Following the incident, a joint team of security personnel and military operatives was deployed to the area to track down the perpetrators and restore calm.
The situation, according to local authorities, is being closely monitored to prevent further escalation.
Two herders attacked, robbed in Taraba community
Herder shot dead by gunmen in Gombe community
By: Zagazola Makama
A herder, identified as Zubairu Umaru, has been shot dead by suspected armed men in Abuku Dafur village, Ribadu ward, Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Monday at about 2:00 a.m. when six armed men invaded Umaru’s residence and opened fire, killing him instantly.
The attackers also carted away the victim’s Techno keypad phone before fleeing the scene.
Local hunters and community members later visited the scene, where an empty 7.62mm shell of an AK-47 rifle was recovered.
Umaru was taken to the General Hospital, Bajoga, where he was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains have since been released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Community sources said efforts were underway to identify and apprehend the attackers.
Herder shot dead by gunmen in Gombe community
12 bandits killed, 2 soldiers injured in clash in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 12 bandits during a clash at Mabai village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 5:30 p.m., shortly after a peace accord meeting held at Kakumi village in Bakori LGA.
Sources said that the bandits, while passing in front of a military base at Mabai, engaged the troops in a gun duel, leading to the death of 12 of the assailants.
Two army personnel sustained serious injuries during the encounter and were referred to the Medical Centre in Katsina for treatment.
The sources said the situation in the area had since been brought under control, with intensive patrols and monitoring activities ongoing to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
12 bandits killed, 2 soldiers injured in clash in Katsina
Bandits attack family on New-Bussa–Babanna road in Niger
ASUU, like PENGASAN: And the Unending Trauma of the Nigerian Federal University Students.
Gunmen kill one, injure two in Plateau attack
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
