The Nigerian Army has escalated its operations against the terror group Lukarawa, which has reportedly been expanding its violent activities across Sokoto and Kebbi States.
Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede personally visited troops in the region, where he issued a directive to “crush” the group, a newly identified threat in the northwestern area.
Lukarawa, affiliated with jihadist factions in Mali and Niger, poses a growing threat in Nigeria, raising serious security concerns across the country’s northwest.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede called on local residents in Tangaza, Sokoto, to provide timely and accurate information to assist the military in the fight.
“One of the reasons I am here is to charge up my soldiers to rise to the challenge,” he stated during his visit, further emphasizing, “If we don’t get their support, we can’t succeed… We need the support of Nigerians so that we can have economic prosperity in the country.”
According to the Defence Headquarters, Lukarawa’s emergence can be traced to political instability in Mali and Niger, which has facilitated the spread of extremist factions into Nigeria. Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, linked the group’s infiltration with ongoing regional turmoil.
“This group is a direct fallout of the political instability in these neighbouring countries,” he noted, underscoring the broader regional dimension of the threat.
During his visit to Sokoto, Oluyede also met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and engaged stakeholders and troops of Operation Fasan Yamma in a strategic push to dislodge Lukarawa operatives from Nigerian soil.
As part of his mission, the acting COAS assessed the readiness of troops stationed in Tangaza and Illela Local Government Areas (LGAs), directing them to remain vigilant and united.
“I am here to see my soldiers and assess their state of readiness to continue securing the country,” Oluyede reiterated.
A senior military officer in the 8th Division, who requested anonymity, revealed that orders from Army headquarters had instructed a full mobilization to address the Lukarawa threat in the troubled areas. “Yes, we are on top of the situation,” he assured. “Troops have been mobilised to restore peace and order. We are very determined to dislodge Lukarawa from our land.”
The Lukarawa terror group, however, is no stranger to locals in Tangaza. According to residents, the group has maintained a presence in the region for over six years, imposing their authority through violence and intimidation.
Usman Alfadari, a Tangaza resident, explained, “If they [Lukarawa] come to the mosque in any town and are displeased with the Imam, they will bring him out and flog him.”
Residents described instances where group members disrupted Friday prayers and enforced religious rules according to their strict beliefs, punishing community members who did not comply.
Another resident, Mahmud Tangaza, confirmed that the terror group’s influence extends to several local governments, including Gudu, Binji, and Silame.
“They never left the environment since around 2018 when they first came, but, unfortunately, this is the first time the government is taking them seriously,” he remarked. Tangaza explained that Lukarawa enforces strict rules and imposes taxes, particularly on cattle herders.
Reports indicate that Lukarawa has even attracted young recruits by offering financial incentives, with some accounts suggesting they provide up to one million naira to youths willing to join their ranks. “They’re inducing young men with money to join them,” a local source added, painting a bleak picture of Lukarawa’s strategy to grow its influence.
In their early years, Lukarawa reportedly positioned themselves as defenders against other criminal groups, such as bandits, who frequently terrorize the region.
A Tangaza resident explained that Lukarawa initially gained community support by confronting bandits. “Whenever there was a bandit attack, they would go there, confront, and chase them away,” the resident said.
However, he expressed concern that Lukarawa may now be collaborating with bandits to perpetrate attacks on civilians, marking a disturbing shift in their operations.
Local sources recounted numerous instances where the group forcibly collected taxes and imposed strict religious regulations. Alfadari recalled that Lukarawa members patrolled the bush and questioned cattle herders, demanding fees for “tax” or “zakat.”
In one chilling account, residents described how the group severely punished imams who did not follow their rigid protocols, sometimes flogging them in front of their congregations.
Despite its history in the area, local officials have made prior attempts to downplay Lukarawa’s threat. In 2018, Maidamma Yari, then caretaker chairman of Tangaza LGA, downplayed reports of the group’s presence.
He suggested that some foreigners from Niger Republic had been protecting the community from bandit incursions but denied that they represented a new terror faction. However, the terror group’s continuous presence, activities, and recent escalations have now prompted a robust response from the Nigerian Army.
As military forces intensify their operations against Lukarawa, residents are urged to stay vigilant and cooperate with security forces. Lt. Gen. Oluyede’s engagement with local communities is seen as a pivotal move in encouraging citizens to participate actively in securing their regions from the increasing threat.
However, with deep-rooted ties in the area, the Lukarawa terror group presents a complex challenge, requiring both military precision and local support to dismantle its influence fully.
The army’s current strategy, including the deployment of Operation Fasan Yamma and collaboration with other security agencies, reflects Nigeria’s determination to eliminate Lukarawa’s presence in the northwest.
With troop mobilizations and community partnerships, the Nigerian Army remains committed to curbing Lukarawa’s activities and restoring peace to Sokoto and Kebbi States.