Kebbi State government has hired an international security organization to help combat banditry and dismantle the notorious Lakurawa gangs that have terrorized communities across the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Governor Nasir Idris approved the engagement of Gsafety, a China-based global security company operating in more than 30 countries, to assist local and federal forces in restoring peace and stability. The decision follows months of rising attacks by armed gangs targeting farmers, travelers, and border communities.

Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, the governor said the partnership would introduce modern surveillance, intelligence-gathering, and response systems to strengthen the fight against insecurity. “We are determined to secure the lives and property of our people. This collaboration brings international expertise to support our security agencies,” Idris said.

Representatives of Gsafety explained that the company will deploy advanced digital tools and data analysis systems to track criminal movements and provide real-time intelligence to security operatives. The initiative will involve cooperation between local government security formations, community vigilantes, and federal agencies operating in the state.

Ahmed Sale Jnr, spokesperson for Gsafety, said the firm’s approach combines technology with community engagement. “We will deploy high technology through the collection of vital data on the activities of armed bandits and the Lakurawa group. Our goal is to strengthen existing operations and enhance coordination among all security stakeholders,” he said.

Kebbi State has experienced repeated attacks in recent years, particularly in its southern and border regions. The Lakurawa gangs, believed to operate from forest hideouts and border zones near Niger Republic, are accused of cattle rustling, kidnapping, and killing civilians. Many rural communities have been displaced, and farming activities disrupted.

Earlier this year, the Nigerian Army reported destroying 22 Lakurawa camps during “Operation Forest Sanity III,” a joint mission covering Kebbi and Sokoto states. Despite the offensive, sporadic attacks have continued, prompting the government to seek additional support.

Security analysts say Kebbi’s decision to bring in a foreign firm marks a new approach to tackling the persistent insecurity in the northwest. Dr. Musa Ibrahim, a defense expert based in Kaduna, said the initiative could help modernize local operations. “If properly managed, this partnership can bridge the technology gap in intelligence gathering and improve coordination. However, transparency and accountability will be key,” he said.

Community leaders have welcomed the move but urged the government to ensure the program includes local input. “Technology is good, but we also need trust and cooperation from people in the villages. Bandits live among us before they strike,” said Alhaji Garba Dakingari, a community elder from Suru Local Government Area.

Residents hope that the new partnership will help bring lasting peace to their communities. Many farmers have been unable to return to their fields due to fear of attacks, contributing to food shortages and economic hardship in the region.

The state government said the engagement with Gsafety is part of a broader security reform plan that includes improved logistics, better coordination with the military, and training for local vigilante groups.

Security observers will be watching to see how Gsafety integrates its systems with Nigeria’s security framework and whether its presence can produce tangible results in the months ahead.

For now, Kebbi’s move signals growing recognition that traditional responses may no longer be enough. By combining local efforts with international expertise, the state hopes to weaken the Lakurawa networks and restore confidence among its citizens.

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