The Nigerian military has acknowledged the presence of a newly formed terrorist group named ‘Lukarawas’ in Sokoto and Kebbi states, which has heightened the security concerns in the Northwest.
It was also announced that nine terrorist commanders wreaking havoc in the Northeast have been declared wanted, with the military assuring that these individuals will be neutralized soon.
At a press briefing held at Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that joint security forces have been actively working to keep these terrorists in check.
Reports indicate that the Sokoto State Government, while hosting participants from Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, raised concerns about the emergence of this new terrorist faction in the area.
Meanwhile, as Chadian forces intensify their operations around Lake Chad, some Boko Haram insurgents have been relocating deeper into Borno State, causing increased anxiety among residents over potential security risks.
Providing further insight, Maj. Gen. Buba noted that the ‘Lukarawas’ group appeared following the recent coup in the Republic of Niger, which led to a breakdown in military collaboration between Nigeria and Niger.
He explained that the group made its way into the northern regions of Sokoto and Kebbi states from Niger and Mali, exploiting the absence of prior joint border operations to enter Nigeria.
“The terrorists took advantage of the breakdown in cooperation and used challenging terrains to infiltrate remote Northwestern areas, where they aim to spread their ideology,” Buba said.
According to Buba, local residents initially accepted the group, mistakenly believing it had good intentions, which delayed reports to military and security authorities.
He assured that troops are employing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) measures to locate and dismantle the group’s activities, stating, “The end for this terror group is near.”
The military has also identified several wanted terrorist leaders, including Abu Khadijah, Abdulrahman, Dadi Gumba, Usman Kanin Shehu, and Abu Yusuf, among others.
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