Army chief Oluyede visits Tinubu, vows to end Lakurawa terror group
Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has promised that he would use all his power to eradicate the Lakurawa terror group, which has been terrorizing parts of Northern Nigeria.
Oluyede, while having a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, said that efforts were being made to explore alternative strategies to tackle insecurity and improve the nation’s security situation.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door session with President Tinubu, General Oluyede, who recently visited various army formations, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with neighbouring countries to combat cross-border insurgency.
On the Lakurawa group, the COAS stated, “We are hitting them hard at the Nigerian end, and once you hit them here, they tend to flee to the Niger Republic. Now that Niger Republic is coming on board, that means very soon, Lakurawa will be a thing of the past.”
Oluyede also highlighted the increasing cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries in the fight against terrorism, emphasizing the importance of a unified regional approach. “We need to collaborate with neighbouring countries because these issues affect them too. By working together, we can address the threat more effectively,” he said.
“I am here to reassure Mr President that I will do my best to make Nigeria better in terms of security,” he said, adding, “I’m going to explore doing things differently to achieve results that will significantly improve our security situation.”
“I spoke with my officers and soldiers to make them realize the need to end all forms of insecurity in Nigeria. I made it clear that I intend to do things differently and expect better results going forward,” he said.
Back story
The Informant247 had confirmed that a new terrorist group, Lukarawas, operating in the northwestern states of Sokoto and Kebbi, has emerged.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, while confirming this development, said this group crossed into Nigeria from Niger following the recent military coup that disrupted joint border security efforts, aggravating regional security concerns in the country.
According to Maj Gen. Edward, the group reportedly gained local acceptance initially, but security forces have since intensified Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to neutralize their activities. Meanwhile, the military has also listed nine Northeast terrorist commanders as wanted, emphasizing ongoing counter-terrorism measures.
With terrorist groups capitalizing on sparsely governed territories, Nigerian forces have continued their mission to dismantle the Lukarawas network and restore stability in affected areas.
Meanwhile, at least 15 people have been reportedly murdered by the new armed group, Lakurawa, while over 100 cows were rustled in Mera, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to a prominent personality in the town, Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera (Yariman Mera), who confirmed the attack to Daily Trust, the group invaded the town as people were getting set for Jumat prayer and made away with over 100 cattle.
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“On hearing this, people of the town mobilised in their hundreds and pursued them to the bush in a bid to recover the cows.
“There was an exchange of fire between the people of the town and the bandits which led to the killing of 15 people, and two of the lakurawas were also killed,” he said.
Mera added that the Lukarawas are hiding in Sokoto bush from where they coordinate their attacks.
“Initially they didn’t kill, they only confiscated cows and asked owners to pay ‘Zakat’. That has been happening for almost two months. This is their first attack in which they killed 15 people in our town,” he said.
Mera said Governor Nasir Idris had called him on the phone twice expressing worry over the killings and ordering the deployment of soldiers to the community to contain the situation, adding that the commanding officer of Dukku barracks, DSS boss, Commissioner of Police and combined security forces have been mobilised to restore normalcy to Mera town and its environs.
Also, the state’s Deputy Governor, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, have visited Mera town to sympathise with the families of the deceased, while assuring the people that the governor had pledged to ensure their protection against the further attacks by the terror group.
