Borno State Government Launches Massive Ramadan Iftar Program, Reaching 46,000 Daily

By: Our Reporter

The Borno State Government has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of its citizens during Ramadan by launching a comprehensive Iftar program, providing daily meals to 46,000 less privileged individuals across Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s initiative, officially launched on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Maiduguri, establishes 230 feeding centres, ensuring vital support for vulnerable communities throughout the holy month.

“This program reflects Governor Zulum’s deep compassion and dedication to alleviating hardship during Ramadan,” stated Alhaji Hassan Abdallah Hassan, Ministerial Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and also permanent secretary designate during the launch ceremony.

“It is our honour to facilitate this initiative, which will provide sustenance and support to 46,000 individuals daily.”

The program strategically covers 22 wards in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, and parts of the Mafa Local Government Area, leveraging the expertise of 110 Bulamas to oversee community distribution.

Dedicated staff from the Ministry will ensure the smooth operation of the feeding centres, overseeing food preparation and distribution.

Alhaji Mohammed Lawan Abubakar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, representing the Honourable Commissioner ministry of religious affairs Alhaji Babagana Malarima, emphasised Governor Zulum’s leadership and commitment to the people of Borno State.

“Governor Zulum’s continuous efforts to support his people are truly commendable,” he said.

“This Ramadan Iftar program is a testament to his dedication to providing vital assistance to those in need. He is a performing governor in the history of the state.”

The government’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to fostering a sense of community and solidarity during Ramadan.

He also urged all involved in the program to work diligently to ensure its success and maximise its impact.

The launch event, attended by key ministry officials, including Director of Finance Ali Umar (Arrow) and Director of Religious Affairs Umar Ali, concluded with the distribution of food materials to community representatives, marking the official commencement of the program.

Borno State Government Launches Massive Ramadan Iftar Program, Reaching 46,000 Daily

The Origin and Expansion of the Lakurawa Militia in Niger and Northern Nigeria

By: Our Reporter

The term Lakurawa originates from the Hausa word lakurawa, meaning “recruits.” It refers to young men undergoing military training for national service. The term itself challenges the theory that the group originated in an English-speaking country like Nigeria, as it is rooted in a French linguistic influence. The name also implies that these individuals were not just hastily trained militia members but had received structured training in formal state institutions.

The Lakurawa militia was formed in 1997 under the presidency of Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara in Niger. Its primary objective was to provide protection for pastoralist communities suffering from rampant cattle rustling, particularly in western Niger. At the time, armed bandits from Mali frequently crossed into Niger to raid livestock, leaving local herders vulnerable. Given the inability of the national army to provide security in remote areas, the government saw the need to create an auxiliary force.

To effectively combat the well-armed raiders, the Lakurawa militia underwent military training and received weapons to match their adversaries. The first training camp was established in Ekrafane, approximately 10 km from an official military detachment. The militia recruits quickly became known as Lakurawa.

Under Baré’s leadership, the Lakurawa successfully carried out several counteroffensives against the armed bandits. Their operations were so effective that the Malian raiders stopped crossing into Niger altogether. Those who did were relentlessly pursued and had their stolen livestock recovered. Encouraged by their success, President Baré expanded the militia program, establishing at least three additional Lakurawa training camps between Ekrafane and Banibangou.

Integration and Dismantling of the Lakurawa

Following Baré’s assassination in 1999, the Lakurawa faced an uncertain future. When Mamadou Tandja assumed power, he sought to integrate the Lakurawa into Niger’s National Guard. However, political disputes within his administration stalled the process. The then-Prime Minister, Hama Amadou, and the Minister of the Interior, Albadé Abouba, both members of the ruling party, disagreed on the fate of the militia.

Albadé reportedly ordered the disarmament and disbandment of the Lakurawa, despite opposition from Hama Amadou. Later, with the appointment of Mounkaila Modi as Minister of the Interior, Hama managed to halt the disarmament process. Instead, he established a second militia composed of recruits from Ouallam, using public funds.

The Lakurawa’s existence is well-known among military officers who served under both President Baré and Tandja. Many current members of Niger’s ruling junta, the CNSP (Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie), were involved in these militias between 1997 and 2012. Today, however, these officials remain silent, allowing the junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, to shift blame while ignoring the militia’s long-standing impact.

The failure to properly integrate the Lakurawa into the national security structure had severe consequences. Many demobilized militia members disappeared with their weapons, forming independent armed groups. Some of these former Lakurawa later resurfaced in a more dangerous form.

From Government Militia to Jihadist Fighters

After the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and the subsequent rise of insecurity in the Sahel, some Lakurawa fighters found a new purpose. In 2012, several of them joined the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), a jihadist faction that fought against the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in northern Mali. This marked a turning point, as former state-backed militiamen transitioned into extremist insurgents.

Expansion into Northern Nigeria

The Lakurawa’s trajectory changed again after France launched Operation Serval in 2013 to oust jihadist groups from northern Mali. Many MUJAO fighters, including former Lakurawa, were displaced and forced to relocate. Some of them moved further south, crossing into Niger’s border regions and eventually settling in northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

Initially, these fighters were welcomed by local communities because of their strong stance against banditry and kidnapping. Their reputation as experienced fighters made them popular among rural populations suffering from insecurity. However, over time, their real intentions became clear. Their goal was not merely to fight crime but to establish an Islamic caliphate.

Unlike other militant groups, the Lakurawa avoided publicity. They did not claim responsibility for attacks or release propaganda. Instead, they blended into existing networks of transnational bandits operating across Nigeria and Niger. This strategy of concealment allowed them to expand undetected. However, as their influence grew, the Nigerian government took action.

In December 2024, Nigerian authorities launched a large-scale military offensive against Lakurawa strongholds. A combination of air and ground assaults led to hundreds of casualties among the group.

The Nigerien Junta’s Response

While Nigeria has deployed significant military resources to neutralize the Lakurawa, Niger’s ruling junta has taken a different approach. Instead of acknowledging the threat, General Tiani’s government has focused on political blame games, accusing Nigeria of interference while failing to confront the growing insurgency.

The Lakurawa are now linked to at least five sabotage attacks on Niger’s oil pipeline, as well as multiple incursions into villages in the Dosso and Tahoua regions. Despite these ongoing threats, the Nigerien leadership appears more interested in rhetoric than action, leaving the country increasingly vulnerable to further instability.

Conclusion

The Lakurawa militia’s history is a cautionary tale of how state-sponsored armed groups can evolve beyond their original purpose. Initially formed to protect pastoralists, they later fragmented into independent fighters, some of whom joined jihadist movements. Their expansion into northern Nigeria further complicated regional security, as they established a hidden presence among criminal networks.

Today, while Nigeria is actively working to dismantle the Lakurawa, Niger’s government remains passive, allowing the militia to continue operating freely. If left unchecked, the Lakurawa could further destabilize the entire Sahel and West African region, proving once again that militias created for short-term security solutions can become long-term threats.

The Origin and Expansion of the Lakurawa Militia in Niger and Northern Nigeria

Gunmen Kill Man, Abduct Another in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Gunmen have killed a 53-year-old man and kidnapped another in Jabi Village, near the mountainous area of Tola District in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. when the attackers stormed the residence of one Salamu Joda and shot him in the lap, inflicting grievous injuries.

They also abducted a 48-year-old man, Yusufa Mijiyawa, and took him to an unknown destination.

Joda was rushed to Cottage Hospital in Mayo-Belwa for treatment but was confirmed dead on arrival. His body has been deposited at the hospital for autopsy.

Following the attack, a joint security task force under Operation Farauta, comprising the Military, police and local hunters, has launched a manhunt for the assailants and is making efforts to rescue the kidnapped victim.

Gunmen Kill Man, Abduct Another in Adamawa