Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters announced on Thursday the discovery of a new terrorist group, Lukarawas, operating in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Linked to ISIS, Lukarawas reportedly crossed into Nigeria from Niger and has started causing significant disruptions in the region.
Major General Edward Buba, Defence Headquarters spokesman, shared, “Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out.”
He explained that Lukarawas settled undetected between Sokoto and Kebbi as locals, unaware of the group’s true intentions, didn’t alert authorities until the group began its activities.
“Lukarawas is affiliated with ISIS in the Sahelian region, particularly Mali and Niger,” Buba stated.
He added, “This is the first time the Sahelian jihadists are making an incursion in our country. The terrorists exploited gaps in cooperation between Nigeria and Niger to enter and spread their ideology.”
Buba noted that locals initially welcomed the group but delayed informing the military until the terrorists imposed levies and engaged in harmful activities. Assuring the public, he stated,
“Troops have sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.”
Buba added that the Lukarawas group has used Nigeria’s ungoverned areas to evade troops and intimidate locals.
Despite this, he affirmed, “Troops are locating them and working to eliminate the threat.”
The defence spokesman also linked the rise of Lukarawas to the recent coup in Niger, which disrupted military cooperation with Nigeria.
Additionally, the military declared nine terrorists wanted in the Northeast: Abu Khadijah, Abur Rahman, Dadi Gumba, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Usman Kanin Shehu, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse. Buba urged the public to report any information that could assist in their arrest.
He reported that Nigerian troops neutralised 481 terrorists, arrested 741 suspects, rescued 492 kidnapped individuals, and recovered 480 weapons and over 9,000 rounds of ammunition last month.
Buba emphasised, “This is another evidence of the military’s performance against terrorists across the North.”
In the Northcentral region, Buba revealed that some terror leaders have expressed a willingness to surrender after sustained military pressure.
“The terrorists are left with the option of surrendering or being killed on the battlefield,” he said.
“We are a professional force. Those willing to surrender will be given a safe corridor, as we have provided in the Northeast.”