The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially proscribed the Lakurawa sect, along with other similar groups operating in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North Central regions. This ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks a significant move in the country’s fight against terrorism and insurgent activities.
Justice James Omotosho made the declaration while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025. The motion sought four key orders, including the proscription of the Lakurawa sect and other groups with similar terrorist activities.
The AGF’s application was backed by an affidavit filed by Michael Akawu, a litigation officer at the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation. Akawu stated that he had reasonable grounds to believe that the Lakurawa sect met the criteria for being designated a terrorist group under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
According to the affidavit, the sect had been involved in several criminal activities, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking, attacks on top government officials and security personnel, and the spread of violent ideologies within local communities. These actions have contributed to widespread harm, injuries, and loss of lives and property, the document claimed.
Akawu further argued that the activities of the Lakurawa sect posed a significant threat to national security, public peace, and order in Nigeria, and that proscribing the group was in the best interest of the nation’s security and justice.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho granted the reliefs sought by the AGF, declaring the Lakurawa sect and similar groups operating in the North West and North Central regions as terrorist organizations. The court ordered that the proscription of these groups be published in the Official Gazette and two national newspapers, and directed that no person or group be allowed to engage in any activities related to the collective intentions of the Lakurawa sect under any other name or platform.
The ruling also prohibited the existence of the Lakurawa sect and similar groups in any part of Nigeria, whether as organized groups or individuals, under any name they might adopt. Additionally, the court banned activities related to banditry, kidnapping, mass abductions, cattle rustling, and other criminal acts associated with such groups, including sexual violence, attacks on communities, and the destruction of lives and properties.
