Terrorism in northern Nigeria escalates as a new dare-devil group named ‘Lukarawas’ emerges. Authorities are tracking their movements.
A new terrorist group named ‘Lukarawas’ is escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria, authorities have said. The Defence Headquarters confirmed at a briefing in Abuja on Thursday. This group is exacerbating the already volatile security situation in the region, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi States.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, explained the possible reason for the new challenge. He said the emergence of this new terrorist group coincided with the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbor, the Republic of Niger, following the recent coup in Niger.
Terrorism crosses borders: A new threat from Niger
Buba revealed that the terrorist group had crossed into northern Nigeria from the Niger Republic and Mali, exploiting gaps in security caused by the political upheaval. Prior to the coup, joint border operations between Nigerian and Nigerien forces had helped keep such groups at bay. However, with the disruption of these operations, the terrorists began to infiltrate remote parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States, using the difficult terrain to evade detection.
“These terrorists are taking advantage of the breakdown in cross-border cooperation and have found refuge in ungoverned areas,” Buba said. He noted that the group was able to spread its extremist ideology more freely due to the lack of coordinated security efforts between the two countries.
Local support fuels terrorism in Northwest
According to Buba, the new terrorist group initially gained support from local communities, who mistakenly believed that the militants meant no harm. The locals, who had limited knowledge of the group’s true intentions, failed to report their movements to the authorities. This lack of timely information contributed to the group’s ability to expand its operations in the region.
The Defence Headquarters emphasized the ongoing efforts by military forces to combat the group. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations are being actively pursued to locate and neutralize the terrorist threat. Buba assured the public that security forces are working tirelessly to dismantle the group’s network and restore safety to the affected areas.
As military tackles terrorists in Northwest
The rise of the ‘Lukarawas’ group highlights the growing challenge of terrorism in northern Nigeria. Despite significant efforts by the Nigerian military to curb insurgent activities, the group’s ability to operate in remote, under-governed areas presents a significant obstacle.
The terrorists have continued to exploit these ungoverned regions, using them as safe havens to regroup and launch attacks. Local residents in the affected areas have reported an increase in harassment and violence by the militants. These further escalate the threat of terrorism.
Security forces are focusing on locating and eliminating these terrorists by tracking their movements through ISR operations. However, the vastness of the region and the complexity of the terrain make it difficult to root out the militants completely.
Terrorism and regional instability
The emergence of the ‘Lukarawas’ group is a stark reminder of the broader instability in the Sahel region, where terrorism has been spreading rapidly. The situation is further complicated by the political crisis in Niger, which has strained international security cooperation.
As the threat of terrorism continues to grow in northern Nigeria, military and security agencies are under increased pressure to adapt to these evolving challenges. The government’s response will likely play a crucial role in determining whether the ‘Lukarawas’ group can be contained or whether the security situation in the northwest will worsen further.
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