Ameer Habib Tajje, head of the newly formed terrorist group “Lakurawa,” has publicly urged Bello Turji, one of Nigeria’s most notorious bandit leaders, to abandon his criminal operations in northwestern Nigeria. Turji, a key figure in violent banditry, has terrorized communities, kidnapping civilians and imposing steep “taxes” on local farmers to permit them to harvest their crops.
Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama shared Tajje’s message on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Tajje intends to send a formal delegation to encourage Turji to renounce his criminal lifestyle completely.
Lakurawa, first observed earlier this year, operates across communities, collecting taxes and espousing anti-Western and anti-democratic ideologies. Their mission mirrors Boko Haram’s, adding another layer of complexity to Nigeria’s security challenges. On Friday, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed the presence of Lakurawa, noting its strongholds in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
