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The Origin and Expansion of the Lakurawa Militia in Niger and Northern Nigeria
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
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity.
By Fathia Adenike
The heartbeat of Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet villages lies ìtàn a Yoruba word meaning “story” or “history” a powerful force shaping cultural identity. Across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa,and beyond. Storytelling isn’t just tradition; it’s a living bridge connecting past, present, and future.It’s an Oral Threads of Heritage,From moonlit Yoruba folktales whispering òrìṣà deeds to Igbo elders recounting ancestral proverbs, Nigeria’s oral traditions transmit values, wisdom, and belongings. These stories embed moral codes, communal bonds, and cosmological maps that ground Nigerians amid rapid change. Ancient myths seep into contemporary Nigerian life. Olókun’s oceanic power meets Lagos’ tech-driven streets; Ọṣun’s fertility echoes in art exploring feminine resilience. Writers like Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Ben Okri The Famished Road weave such mythic threads into explorations of identity, disrupting colonial ruptures.
Today, Nigerian storytelling leaps into digital realms. Podcasts like “The Nairaland Podcast and Twitter threads” retelling folklore showcase ìtàn’s adaptability. Social media becomes a virtual àbù̀ (drumbeat), amplifying voices across Nigeria’s youthful diaspora.
Ìtàn fosters cultural resilience. As Nigeria navigates urbanization, migration, and tech disruption, these stories offer anchors. They articulate collective memory, mediate conflict, and nurture belonging across ethnic lines Igbo, Yoruba.
Hausa in a nation of profound diversity.In Nigeria’s mosaic, ìtàn remains a vital pulse reminding Nigerians, globally, of roots nourishing identity’s complex, beautiful branches. ìtàn remains an irreducible heartbeat reminding Nigerians globally of identity’s deep, branching roots nourishing complex beauty. As Nigeria braids tradition with cutting edge innovation, these stories transmute into luminescent beacons, diachronistic continuity. Resonating poignantly in diaspora conversations spanning oceans.
Echoing vibrantly in Nigeria’s creative expressions celebrating Ultimately, ìtàn transcends mere retrospection; it dynamically sculpts Nigeria’s unfolding narrative vectors. These andaren’t antiquarian tales; they’re heritage-infused blueprints propelling Nigeria’s stories into uncharted tomorrows narratives carrying ancestral essence into modernity’s unspooling scroll. ìtàn brings identity filaments, affirming storytelling as Nigeria’s quintessential cultural DNA.
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
LAGOS, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025 — Nigerian sportswear brand, ShightVault is making bold strides in redefining the culture of movement and style in Africa. The brand recently led a major collaboration with the Èkó Runners Club, hosting a vibrant community event themed “RUNWITHLAGOS” at The Finery, Ikoyi.
The activation brought together over 280 guests, including more than 140 runners who took part in a 5KM morning run through the heart of Lagos. The day unfolded into a full lifestyle experience, from yoga sessions and high-intensity training classes to ice baths, networking, food, drinks, and friendly competitions, blending wellness and urban culture in one energetic celebration.
At the center of it all was ShightVault, showcasing its limited-edition collaborative run-fit, a sleek performance line that sold out quickly at the venue.
Speaking at the event, Riches Efe Arhiakpore, Executive Director of ShightVault, described the collaboration as a reflection of the brand’s growing vision:
ShightVault is more than a sportswear label, it’s a movement. This collaboration with Èkó Runners Club represents how we want to connect fashion, fitness, and community. We’re open to working with more run clubs across the country and internationally as we expand our reach in both the sports and fashion industries.
The event was powered by key sponsors including KNGSMN, Pocari Sweat, ZoneX, Red Bull, and Glacee Table Water, alongside partners who helped deliver one of Lagos’ most engaging fitness activations of the year.
As ShightVault continues to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders, the brand is positioning itself as a global voice for African sportswear innovation, bridging performance, design, and cultural expression in every stride.
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
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