- Says Terror Group Has Existed Since 2016
- DSS, Army, Police Aware Of Group’s Existence
- Northern Group Seeks Deployment Of 40,000 Troops To Curb Menace
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has provided fresh insights into the operations and existence of the perceived new terrorist group, Lakurawa.
According to the forum, the terror group has been in existence since 2016.
The Matrix reports that the Defence Headquarters last week confirmed the emergence of the terror group saying they are exacerbating insecurity in the northwestern part of Nigeria.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba confirmed their existence while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military last week in Abuja.
Addressing the issue while appearing on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today programme monitored by The Matrix, the Publicity Secretary of the ACF Tukur Muhammad-Baba said the group has existed before now.
Hear him, “The group that is called Lakurawa today has been sporadically living or camping in the northwestern part of Nigeria for over six years now. They first started illegally entering Nigeria around 2016, 2017,” Bukarti said.
“But they did not stay permanently. What they do – and that’s what they do still today – is that they move in, stay for a few months, and then they go back to the Sahel or wherever they are coming from in Niger [Republic].”
“They’re not a new group, The DSS is aware of it We thought they had been chased out but we later found out that it was a deal that they should either leave or be attacked…
Similarly, a security expert, Bulama Bukarti claimed the Nigerian Army is aware of the group and the police also know about its existence.
“In 2018, they (Nigerian Army) fought the same group and pushed them back to the Niger Republic and this group has been staying; camping in northwestern Nigeria since 2016-2017,” the expert said.
Muhammad-Baba corroborated Bukarti’s comment, saying the terror group has been around for a while.
“This is not a new group. In fact, when they emerged about 2017 and 2018, I think, at least, the DSS is aware of it,” the ACF spokesman said.
The ACF spokesperson claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) was aware of the existence of the terror group.
“They are not a new group; the DSS is aware of them. We thought they had been chased out, but we later found out that it was a deal that they should either leave or be attacked,” he said.
“This is a major threat to national security… When you have a group like that coming into the country and establishing bases, putting in place our security and justice administrator system, it is like they’ve taken over sovereignty.”
Giving an insight into the operation of the group, Bukarti said its strongholds include Tangaza and Kudu LGAs in Sokoto and parts of Kebbi state.
Bukarti noted that the terrorists have overpowered local traditional rulers and imposed a justice system rooted in extremist beliefs.
“If you have a local problem or a dispute with your neighbour, you report to them because they’ve barred traditional rulers from intervening, and the rulers have no choice but to comply, or they face death,” Bukarti said.
“If farmers experience encroachment on their land by herders, they report to Lakurawa, who summon both sides, resolve the dispute, and order compensation where necessary.
“Similarly, if community members report stolen cattle, Lakurawa intervenes, fighting the bandits in exchange for levies on communities in Sokoto and Kebbi, especially targeting herders.
“They also enforce other rules, like raiding POS operator stores in captured villages, claiming operators charge interest.”
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called for a united response from all stakeholders to combat the threat.
In a statement released on Monday by CNG’s National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group emphasized the urgent need for collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities, alongside communities, religious, and traditional leaders, to address the escalating insecurity posed by Lakurawa.
“We have unfortunately heard of the emergence of a new terror group identified as “Lakurawa,” reportedly operating around Kebbi and Sokoto states in northwestern Nigeria.
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”This development poses yet another threat to the safety and security of residents and has the potential to further destabilize an already vulnerable region if left unchecked.
”Reports reaching the CNG indicate that the Lakurawa group has begun establishing itself with intentions that appear to mirror the tactics of other violent organizations that have, over time, spread terror across the region,” the statement said.
The CNG also confirmed that the group has already begun creating an atmosphere of fear, disrupting local communities, and killing lives and livelihoods of the residents.
”The emergence of this group is particularly concerning given the historical and ongoing security challenges the northern region faces, including banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping.
”We reliably gathered that they give monetary incentives to youths in rural communities in Sokoto for the purpose of recruiting an army of youths into their fold.
”We urge the federal government, security agencies, state and local government authorities to take decisive and proactive measures to address this threat while it is still in its infancy.
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”The CNG strongly calls on the federal government to significantly raise the number of troops currently combating the insecurity in the Northwest subregion as their current figure of about 13,000 is not just inadequate but also stretches their power and will to thoroughly eliminate the terrorists destroying the region.
“Regrettably, this insufficiency of combatants on ground in the frontline states had resulted in resurgence of attacks and killings in many LGAs across the three states such as Tsafe, Gusau, Funtua, Jibia and Sokoto among others.
”The CNG, therefore, recommends that at least 40,000 fully combatant troops be deployed to the Northwest which will be complemented by the local community security watch to confront the challenge head-on.
“The CNG suggests that an immediate, well-coordinated response across all levels of government is imperative to prevent Lakurawa from gaining further strength and territorial control,” it said.
The pro-northern group also called on security agencies to deploy intelligence, surveillance, and tactical operations in affected areas to identify and dismantle this group’s network before it entrenched itself.
It extended its heartfelt condolences to the government and good people of Kebbi State over the killing of 15 persons in Augie local government area of the state in a despicable manner and prayed that may Allah rest their souls and hasten the healing of the wounded.
“We are privy to the efforts of the State governor in addressing insecurity in the state. With this new challenge, the CNG calls on Governor Nasir Idris to remain resolute and not get distracted in his commitment to securing his people.
”The CNG implores Kebbi to adopt strategies of engaging Community Watch Corps to complement the conventional security forces that its neighbours such as Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara have adopted to ensure a more robust and coordinated approach in addressing the common threat.
“In the same vein, the CNG also appeals to the residents and communities of Kebbi, Sokoto, and neighboring states to cooperate closely with security forces. This is because community support is vital in gathering information, identifying suspicious activities, and helping security agencies in their operations.
“We encourage local leaders and residents to prioritize collective security by reporting unusual activities to the appropriate authorities and supporting all efforts to restore peace and stability.
”The CNG reiterates that all hands must be on deck to nip this new terror gangs in the bud to protect our communities and secure our region,” CNG added.
