The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, issued an order officially proscribing the Lakurawa sect and other related groups operating across Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.
According to reports, the ruling was delivered by Justice James Omotosho following an ex parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The application, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, was presented by David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar.
In an affidavit accompanying the application, Michael Akawu, a litigation officer in the Department of Public Prosecutions, detailed the sect’s activities, which include:
Cattle rustling,
Kidnapping for ransom,
Hostage-taking,
Attacks on government officials and security personnel,
Dissemination of radical ideologies to local communities, and
Encouragement of defiance against legitimate authorities.
Akawu underscored that these acts have resulted in severe harm, loss of lives, destruction of property, and a heightened threat to national security and public peace. He argued that proscribing the Lakurawa sect and similar groups was critical to ensuring Nigeria’s safety and stability.
Granting the reliefs sought, Justice Omotosho issued the following orders:
Declaring the activities of the Lakurawa sect and related groups in Nigeria as acts of terrorism.
Proscribing the existence of Lakurawa and similar groups, whether as individuals or organizations, under any name or platform.
Mandating the publication of the proscription order in the Official Gazette and two national newspapers.
Banning any form of participation in activities linked to the Lakurawa sect or similar groups.
Proscribing other groups involved in banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes.
The Lakurawa sect is reported to have infiltrated Nigeria from Niger and Mali and has posed a significant security threat since its emergence in Sokoto State around 2016 or 2017. Initially formed as a self-defense militia to combat banditry, the group eventually transformed into a radical faction that enforces strict religious laws and exerts control over local communities.
The sect’s violent activities have since expanded to Kebbi State, including a notorious attack in November 2024 in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area, which resulted in multiple deaths and extensive cattle rustling.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has officially recognized Lakurawa as a terrorist organization with connections to extremist groups in Mali and Niger, further aggravating the insecurity plaguing the northwestern region.
