The Nigerian Defense Headquarters has launched a new offensive targeting a new terrorist group called “Lukarawas.”
The Nigerian military said the group has recently established a foothold in Sokoto and Kebbi states in the country’s Northwest.
The operation is aimed at eliminating the group, which is linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) and has been causing serious unrest in local communities.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Defense Headquarters spokesperson Major General Edward Buba announced the readiness of the military to dismantle the group given that their location is known.
“Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out,” Maj-Gen Edward Buba said.
According to Maj. Gen. Buba, members of Lukarawas crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic and settled in the border areas between Sokoto and Kebbi.
Initially, locals were unaware of the group’s true intentions and did not report their presence to security officials. The terrorists then began imposing levies on the community.
Gen. Buba said: “‘Lukarawas is affiliated with ISIS in the Sahelian region, particularly Mali and Niger Republics. And this is the first time the Sahelian jihadists are making an incursion in our country.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology.”
General Buba added: “The people did not report on time until they started causing havoc and placing levies on them.
“Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out.”
Maj. Gen. Buba highlighted the challenges troops face in tracking the terrorists, who the military claims use vast, under-governed regions to hide and avoid detection. He stated that troops have intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations to locate and weaken the group. These ISR measures are helping the military pinpoint Lukarawas fighters and disrupt their ability to regroup or threaten nearby communities.
The presence of Lukarawas follows a long history of terrorism in Nigeria, which first saw the rise of the extremist group Boko Haram in 2009. Boko Haram originated in Maiduguri, Borno State, and grew in influence after the death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf. Since then, terrorist activities have spread across different regions in the country.
Additionally, the Defense Headquarters has recently declared nine other terrorists wanted in the Northeast. These individuals named are Abu Khadijah, Abur Rahman, Dadi Gumba, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Usman Kanin Shehu, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.