The emergence of the armed group Lakurawa threatens to exacerbate the ongoing violence in northwestern Nigeria and across the border in Niger, as strained relations undermine joint military operations.
The Nigerian army's acknowledgment of Lakurawa reflects a troubling trend of violence in the northern region, highlighting persistent issues of banditry, kidnappings, and protracted conflicts with groups such as Boko Haram.
Relations between Nigeria and Niger have soured significantly following Niger's July 2023 coup. This deterioration is crucial as it has hampered joint military efforts, allowing groups like Lakurawa to grow stronger.
Initially comprised of herdsmen, Lakurawa members have covertly integrated into communities along the Nigeria-Niger border over the years while maintaining ties to destabilizing groups in Mali.
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