Defence Headquarters Declares Nine Members Of New Terrorist Group Lakurawas Wanted.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially declared nine individuals, believed to be members of a newly emerged terrorist group known as Lakurawas, as wanted. The announcement was made by Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The individuals listed include Abu Khadijah, Abdurrahman, Dadi Gumba, also known as Abu Muhammed, Usman Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.
According to Buba, the Lakurawas group originated from the Niger Republic, taking advantage of the recent political upheaval in the region, which disrupted established security collaborations between Nigeria and Niger. The terrorist group has reportedly begun infiltrating northern areas of Sokoto and Kebbi states, leveraging their proximity to the borders with Niger and Mali.
Prior to the coup, Nigeria and Niger shared joint border patrols that helped keep such threats at bay. However, the coup and subsequent breakdown in security cooperation have allowed the terrorists to exploit under-governed regions, enabling them to move undetected and intimidate local communities. Buba explained that the group initially gained the trust of locals, who were unaware of their intentions and, as a result, did not alert the authorities.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited the difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology,” Buba remarked. He acknowledged the challenging landscape, which has provided the group with an opportunity to expand its influence and recruit within remote communities.
In response, the Nigerian military has intensified its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations aimed at disrupting the group’s activities and restoring security in the affected areas. Buba reassured Nigerians of the military’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and countering any threats posed by Lakurawas.
