DHQ Confirms Emergence of 'Lukarawas,' a New Terrorist Group in Northwest Nigeria
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially confirmed the rise of a new terrorist group named "Lukarawas," which is heightening insecurity across Nigeria’s Northwest region.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed this development on Thursday during a military briefing in Abuja. According to Buba, the Lukarawas group emerged from the Republic of Niger following the recent coup, which disrupted longstanding military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
Buba explained that this breakdown allowed Lukarawas members to infiltrate northern areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali regions, exploiting a gap in cross-border security that had previously held them back. Before the coup, joint border operations with Niger’s security forces helped contain terrorist activities.
"The terrorists took advantage of the reduced cooperation and challenging terrains to make incursions into remote areas of the Northwest, where they are spreading their ideology," Buba noted.
He added that local communities initially welcomed the Lukarawas group, unaware of their intentions, and failed to alert security agencies. This lapse, Buba stated, has complicated efforts to curb the group’s influence, as they continue using vast, under-governed areas as hideouts while harassing local residents.
Despite these challenges, Buba assured that the military has intensified Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to dismantle the group’s presence. "Our troops are actively locating these terrorists and eliminating the threat," he confirmed.
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