The military high command has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group called ‘Lukarawas’ in Sokoto and Kebbi states, contributing to the escalating security challenges in the Northwest. The group is said to have infiltrated the region following the coup in Niger, which disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger, allowing the terrorists to exploit the situation.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed the threat during a press briefing, stating that the joint security forces have kept the terrorists at bay despite the group's attempts to spread its influence. He assured that efforts are underway to neutralize them swiftly.
The group, believed to have crossed from the Republic of Niger and Mali, was initially welcomed by locals who mistook them for well-meaning individuals. This lack of early reporting by residents allowed the group to gain a foothold in the remote areas of the Northwest, exacerbating the security situation.
The military has vowed to continue its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations to track and eliminate the group, while also targeting key terrorist commanders operating in the Northeast, including Abu Khadijah and Abdulrahman, who have been declared wanted.
