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In a resolution passed on Wednesday, the Senate urged the Nigerian military to deepen its engagement with local communities by setting up robust early warning systems.
These systems would serve as critical tools for identifying potential threats and averting future attacks orchestrated by the Lakurawa terrorist group, whose activities have sparked widespread concern in the affected regions.
As part of its recommendations, the Senate urged the Federal Government to prioritize deploying an evaluation team to Sokoto and Kebbi states. The team would be responsible for documenting the scale of devastation caused by the Lakurawa group and for organizing prompt humanitarian assistance to displaced families struggling to rebuild their lives.
The Senate also stressed the importance of the military maintaining a stronghold in the affected regions, asserting that such a measure would be crucial in preventing the Lakurawa group from rebuilding its network or expanding its violent agenda.
The resolution stemmed from a motion presented by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North, who drew attention to the alarming infiltration of the Lakurawa terrorist group. He noted that the group, reportedly originating from Mali and Burkina Faso, had gained entry into Nigeria through the porous border shared with Niger.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi recounted the November 8 attack by the Lakurawa group on Mera village, Kebbi State. The assault led to the tragic killing of 20 soldiers, and the group also looted livestock valued at millions of naira, further destabilizing the region.
In his motion, Abdullahi warned of the risk of Lakurawa spreading to other parts of the country, citing their possession of high-capacity weapons and international connections.
He said, “If these terrorists are not decisively dealt with, they can spread across other zones.”
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South) recalled a similar incursion during his tenure as governor of Sokoto State in 2018 when the Lakurawa group was dislodged in a joint operation with federal security forces.
Read also: Lakurawa Terror Group Has Less Than 200 Members – Military
Tambuwal noted that the current resurgence of the group posed a serious threat to national security, adding, “These terrorists are well-armed and highly connected outside the country.”
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, expressed solidarity with the people of Kebbi State, emphasising the urgency of addressing the threat.
He likened the group’s incursion to the early stages of Boko Haram, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to further devastation.
“This is a new dimension to the insecurity challenges in the region. Our security agencies are working hard but need additional support to address this evolving threat,” he said.
The Senate President commended the military for their swift response to the November 8 attack and supported the motion’s call for relief materials for victims.
He stressed the need for intensified military efforts to eradicate the group, emphasising that “security agents must not spare any effort in dealing with these criminals.”
