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Defence Headquarters has reported that Lukarawa, a newly identified terrorist group, is actively recruiting members to strengthen its combat forces. This development underscores the group’s intent to expand its operational reach and enhance its capabilities.
Defence Headquarters assured that the military is fully aware of Lukarawa’s recruitment activities and is coordinating closely with other security agencies and the state government to put an end to the group’s recruitment drive.
Last Thursday, the Defence Headquarters officially recognized Lukarawa as a newly surfaced terrorist group operating in northern Nigeria, with its activities centered in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Media Operations, reported that the terrorists infiltrated northern Sokoto and Kebbi states, entering from the direction of Niger Republic and Mali, a movement that notably increased following the recent coup in Niger.
He expressed frustration with the region’s residents, blaming them for sheltering the terrorists and not informing the military or security agencies of their whereabouts.
On Friday, the new terror group ambushed Mera town in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State while locals were preparing for Jumaat prayers, killing at least 15 people and carting away at least 100 cows.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday, Buba said the terrorists were using sermons and welfare packages to entice the youth.
Read also: Most Arms Used By Terrorists Belong To Nigerian Gov’t – NSA
He added that the terror group was also using social media to drive its recruitment efforts.
Buba said, “The group is employing social media platforms, showcasing sermons and enticing recruits with welfare packages.
“Nevertheless, we know of these plans and are working together with other security forces and the state government to thwart the efforts of the terrorist.”
A former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, argued that although the group had been in existence since 2018, the country’s intelligence agencies had been monitoring their activities.
He said the sect’s members were too few to constitute a serious threat to national security.
He said, “It must be clear that this group has been there since 2018. It’s not a new group. They have been there since 2018. They were brought in there by the community leader who wanted to help them fight. This group was formed by Nassala in Niger Republic. So when he died, the Nigerien government could not control them.
“So they were invited to assist them in Sokoto. They were there, but eventually, the Sokoto State government used their non-kinetic approach to make them leave that place through negotiation.
“Some of them remained, and they’ve been operating on a very new team. So it’s not as if it’s a new terrorist group that has just emerged.
