Tobias Sylvester
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the rise of a new terrorist group called ‘Lukarawas’ in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, shared the news with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, November 7, while discussing the military’s activities.
Buba explained that the group emerged from the Republic of Niger following the recent coup, which disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
He said the terrorists began entering northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali, especially after the coup.
According to him, before the coup, joint border operations with Nigerien security forces had kept the terrorists away.
However, with the breakdown in cooperation, the terrorists took advantage of the situation and used difficult terrains to infiltrate remote areas of Nigeria, spreading their ideology.
Buba revealed that the group initially received support from locals, who mistakenly believed they had good intentions.
He said the locals did not report the group’s activities to the military or security agencies, which allowed them to continue their operations.
Buba reassured Nigerians that the military is actively using intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to track and dismantle the group.
He noted that while the terrorists have been hiding in ungoverned areas to avoid detection, Nigerian troops are successfully locating them and eliminating the threat.
KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently announce the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff.
