Olayiwola Matthew
The Military High Command has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorists’ group ‘Lukarawas’ causing insecurity in the North Western region of Nigeria.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, revealed this while briefing journalist on the operations of the military on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
He noted that the terrorists began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic.
Buba explained that prior to the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorist at bay.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology,” he said.
Buba said that the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them, adding that they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies.
He gave assurance that troops had sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.
General Buba added that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.
According to Buba, troops are locating them and eliminating the threat.