By Samuel Omotere
The Director of Media Operations, of the Defence Headquarters, Edward Buba has revealed how residents in Sokoto and Kebbi Communities unsuspectedly accommodated a new terrorist group, ‘Lukarawa,‘ a threat to their safety.
It was gathered that the armed terror group with sophisticated weapons is known for harassing residents and imposing islamic laws, taxes, and levies on them.
Buba told journalists during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday that these terrorists emerged from Niger and Mali Axis, and were welcomed by the people in the rural areas in these states, before they kicked their evil mission.
While recounting the troops efforts in protecting the nation from terrorism in different parts of the country for a conducive and stable environment, he stressed that a lot is happening in the north west, and the troops are currently challenged by the Lukarawa group.
“The Lukarawas are affiliated to terrorists from the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger republics. They began in the north western part of Nigeria, namely Sokoto and Kebbi states. This came as a result of the coup that took place in Niger republic.
“Prior to the coup, we had joint border operations with Nigereian security forces, which kept these terrorists at bay. When that coup took place there was a breakdown of cooperation between both countries.”
Buba said the Lukarawa group leveraged on the gaps in cooperation of these countries and unsuspectedly gained access into the north western axis of the country, and penetrated into strategic locations with their ideology.
“They exploited the difficult terrains and made incursions into remote areas in our north western states. When they came in, they started spreading their ideology.
“Now the issue is, when they came in , the people saw them, and what did they do when they saw them? They embraced them rather than reporting them. And what has that resorted to?
“The people saw them as friends, the same friends they thought were friends have turned to foes. We did not get this report on time until they started creating some havoc,” Buba said.
He assured the public that troops are on the situation and have sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance accordingly to degrade these terrorists, until they are finally defeated.
Buba also stated that the troops neutralised 163 terrorists, arrested 82 suspects engaged in terrorism and insurgency, and rescued hostages in the North West last month.