No cause for alarm over emergence of new terror group Lakurawa, says Nigerian army

National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, has said there was no cause for alarm over the emergence of a new terror group, Lakurawa, as the group’s membership was not more than 200.

Major General Alaka made this known on the eve of the attack of this terror group in Sokoto State and parts of the North West, and other forms of violent extremism in the country by a group.

The Informant247 reports that the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, while reiterating the federal government’s efforts to end insecurity in the country, has disclosed strategic means of ending the new terror group, Lakurawa.

Badaru said that with the deployment of troops and provision of additional equipment, the Nigerian government would overrun the Lakurawa.
However, according the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the military and other security agencies, under the coordination of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were on top of the situation, and the group would be wiped out in no distant future to dismantle this group.

He said, “It is true that a new wave of threats by the Lakurawa has emerged, but together, through strategic actions and unwavering public support, we can confront and overcome these threats.

“Since the emergence of this unwholesome group, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS and other service chiefs have met severally and concrete steps based on informed decisions have been taken to completely wipe members of this group or any other from Sokoto State and Nigeria at large.

“The members of this group are employing new tactics, exploiting technology, and seeking to disrupt our communities and lives. They aim to spread fear and division, but I am confident that, with the strength of a united community, we stand resilient and definitely will conquer them in no distant time.”

“The people invited them to come and provide security against bandits. Now, after providing the security for sometime, they are imposing and collecting taxes from the people, which cannot happen and which will not be allowed in a sovereign country.

“The NSA is on top of the situation. President Bola Tinubu is providing everything that is needed for security agencies to root out terrorists and defeat insecurity.

“How many are they? There number is not more than between 150 to 200. It is not as bad as Nigerians are looking at it. The major thing the terrorist group is trying to do is to spread fear, and people are helping them, which Nigerians should not fall prey to.”

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 neutralise their activities. Meanwhile, the military has also listed nine Northeast terrorist commanders as wanted, emphasising ongoing counter-terrorism measures.

With terrorist groups capitalising 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.

“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 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 further attacks by the terror group.