The Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) has confirmed the emergence of a new terror group, ‘Lukarawas,’ operating in Nigeria’s North West region, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi States.
The group, linked to the breakdown of military cooperation following the recent coup in Niger, is exacerbating regional insecurity.
Speaking at a press briefing at the DHQ in Abuja, on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations,
Major General Edward Buba, revealed that ‘Lukarawas’ had crossed into northern Nigeria from Niger and Mali.
“The group took advantage of the collapse in cooperation between Nigerian and Nigerien forces,” Buba explained. Prior to the coup, joint border operations between the two countries had helped mitigate such threats.
The terrorists reportedly infiltrated remote areas, gaining the trust of local communities who, unaware of the danger, failed to report the group’s activities to security forces. “They exploited difficult terrains and gaps in security to spread their ideology,” Buba added.
He said the military has responded by intensifying Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations to track and eliminate the new threat. “Our troops are actively locating and neutralizing the terrorists, who continue to exploit under-governed areas to evade capture,” Buba confirmed.
Despite the ongoing efforts, the new group’s ability to hide in the vast, ungoverned spaces remains a significant challenge for security forces. The military is working to regain control and restore stability to the region.
