New Nigerian jihadist group Lakurawa declared terrorists

Nigeria's authorities have officially declared the Lakurawa armed group - which flogs people for listening to music - a terrorist organisation and banned it across the country.

Lakurawa is a new militant group which carries out attacks, targeting local communities in north-western Nigeria and across the border with Niger.

Nigerian officials say Lakurawa is affiliated with jihadist factions in Mali and Niger, and its militants have for years settled in communities along the Nigeria-Niger border, marrying local women and recruiting youths.

This adds to Nigeria's security concerns, as it is already fighting against several armed groups, from Islamist militants Boko Haram to kidnapping gangs.

The Nigerian government submitted a document to a High Court in the capital, Abuja, on Thursday, detailing the activities of the group.

It said Lakurawa had been involved in acts of terrorism, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking and attacks on top government officials.

The group was also accused of spreading harmful ideology within local communities and encouraging locals to disregard authorities, "resulting in injuries, and loss of lives and property to innocent citizens of Nigeria".

An unnamed man told the BBC the group emerged few years ago in some villages in Sokoto and Kebbi states and people had notified authorities of its existence but nothing was done.

At first, Lakurawa members promised to tackle banditry and help protect local people from cattle thieves.

"But things escalated when they started asking to check people’s phones and would flog those that have music in them before deleting them," the man said.

In the court papers, Nigeria's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi said the group's activities posed a serious threat to national security.

In a swift decision, Justice James Omotosho declared the group "a terrorist organisation and extended the ban to similar groups across Nigeria, with a specific focus on the North West and North Central regions".

This move will give the Nigerian government sweeping powers to take strong actions against the group.

Security agencies now have broad mandates to disrupt and dismantle the group's operations, including arrests, prosecution, asset freezes, and increased surveillance.

It could also lead to public stigma and isolation for individuals associated with the designated group.

Across the country, especially in northern Nigeria, people fear another scenario similar to when Boko Haram emerged in the late 2000s.

By Chris Ewokor & Mansur Abubakar, BBC

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Authorities in Nigeria Take Down Child Trafficking Syndicates

Nigerian authorities announced the rescue of over 200 children and the dismantling of multiple gangs and human trafficking networks in a series of nationwide crackdowns that were primarily targeting child exploitation.

Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that one of the key operations took place in Akure, Ondo State, where a human trafficking network was dismantled, and 14 children, aged between 1 and 7 years old, were rescued.

“Acting on intelligence regarding a missing child, the police uncovered a syndicate responsible for trafficking over 200 children across various locations in the country,” Adejobi said in a statement.

The Nigeria Police Force has ramped up its initiatives to combat human trafficking and illegal baby factories, focusing on intelligence-led operations to disrupt organized networks.

The announcement follows another major breakthrough two weeks ago in Plateau State, where authorities arrested a prominent pastor linked to a large child-trafficking syndicate. In that operation, 13 children were rescued, highlighting Plateau State as a growing hotspot for trafficking activities.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also exposed trafficking activities in Kaduna State involving a group called ACHAD Life Mission International. The organization, which claims to promote African traditions and humanitarian aid, is accused of exploiting vulnerable individuals under the guise of charity. NIS officials noted that these groups often operate covertly, making detection challenging.

In a statement, Plateau State’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission raised concerns about the region’s rising child trafficking crisis, revealing that over 100 victims were rescued in the past year alone. The commission emphasized the urgent need for stronger institutional frameworks and community engagement to prevent exploitation and protect vulnerable children.

Local authorities pledged to continue their efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and ensure the safety of children. However, they acknowledged the need for greater resources and public awareness to combat the growing threat of human trafficking in Nigeria.

These operations underline the scale of the challenge in addressing trafficking in the country, but they also demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to fighting organized exploitation and protecting its most vulnerable citizens.

By Nneoma Omeje, OCCRP

Nigeria needs to double economic growth within a year or two, finance minister says

Nigeria needs to double economic growth within the next year or two from an annualized rate of 3.5% in the third quarter to lift its population out of poverty, its finance minister told Reuters on Thursday at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun said Nigeria was on the path to growth after a year of tough economic reforms that sent inflation soaring, but should open the door for more investment.

Edun said he had been meeting in Davos this week with business leaders in the areas of consumer goods, food and beverages, financial services and infrastructure to promote investments, he said in a Thursday interview.

"It's a steady trickle now. What we want is a stream and at the end of the day a flood of investment," he said.

Nigeria has been trying to encourage private investment rather than rely on borrowing to create jobs, as the government searches for a solution to sluggish growth, double-digit inflation and a heavy debt burden.

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to expand the economy by at least 6% a year, create jobs and unify the exchange rate, while also tackling rampant insecurity.

Tinubu scrapped a popular but costly petrol subsidy and lifted foreign exchange trading restrictions. That contributed to consumer inflation, but Edun expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon be past their cost of living crisis.

Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso on Thursday said he expected the economy to expand by 4.17% this year, driven by ongoing reforms and stabilising inflation.

By Chijioke Ohuocha, Reuters