The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed emergence of a new terrorists group known as ‘Lukarawas affiliated with ISSIS in the Sahelian Region.
The group is primarily based in the northwestern part of Nigeria, particularly Kebbi and Sokoto states.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the military operations.
According to him, the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger and Mali, following the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
He added that the terrorists began infiltrating northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali, particularly after the coup in Niger.
Buba said that before the coup, there had been joint border operations with Nigerien security forces, which had kept the terrorists at bay.
“This new group that has penetrated the northwestern part of the country, known as the Lukarawas, is affiliated with ISIS in the Sahelian region. It is indeed the first attempt by Sahelian jihadists to establish a foothold in our country.
The DHQ also declared nine more terrorists wanted on Thursday.
The wanted terrorists include Abu Khadijah, Abdurrahman, Dadi Gumba, also known as Abu Muhammed, Usman Kanin Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Ibrahim Suyeka, BA Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.
“As I mentioned earlier, they were kept at bay while we had joint cross-border operations with the Republic of Niger,” Buba said.
He added: “However, after the coup took place in Niger, they exploited the breakdown in cooperation between the two countries, which has now been restored. They took advantage of this breakdown to make incursions through difficult terrain into remote locations on the outskirts of the northwestern part of our country, including some of those states.”
“We know exactly where they are as I speak to you. Now, what are the issues? When they arrived, the locals recognised that they had strangers in their midst. Upon recognising this, the proper course of action would have been to alert the authorities.”
Buba blamed residents of the North West for harbouring the terrorists and failing to report their movements to the military and other security agencies.
Buba assured that troops had sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance efforts to degrade the terrorists.
Kindly share this report
