The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group, known as Lukarawas, infiltrating northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi States. The announcement was made by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, during a briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Maj. Gen. Buba explained that Lukarawas originated in the Republic of Niger, following a recent coup that disrupted joint military operations between Nigeria and Niger. The group has been moving into Nigeria from Niger and Mali, exploiting the security gaps created by the breakdown in cross-border cooperation.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions into remote areas in some northwestern states to spread their ideology,” Buba stated. He further noted that local residents initially welcomed the group, mistakenly perceiving them as non-hostile, but did not report their presence to security agencies.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have responded with sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to locate and dismantle the group. While the Lukarawas have used remote and ungoverned areas to evade military forces and intimidate local populations, troops continue to engage in operations to eliminate the threat.
The Nigerian Police Force’s Sokoto State Command also confirmed the presence of the group in Sokoto, reporting its activities in Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illela, and an additional local government area. According to the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, the group operates with sophisticated weapons, imposing its ideology on local communities.
Efforts are ongoing to secure the affected areas and restore safety for residents, with security agencies prioritizing intelligence gathering and cross-border collaborations to contain the spread of Lukarawas and other emerging threats in the region.
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