The Nigerian Senate has issued a grave warning about the infiltration of foreign terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso into Northwestern states, including Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kaduna, as well as Niger State in the North-Central region. Operating under the banner of a group called Lakurawa, the attackers have heightened concerns about the growing international dimensions of terrorism within Nigeria.
The Senate, during a plenary session, urged the military to establish early warning systems and intensify their presence in affected areas to prevent the spread of terror activities. The Upper Chamber also called on the federal government to dispatch assessment teams to evaluate damages and address the needs of impacted families.
This warning follows a recent attack in Mera village, Kebbi State, where over 20 residents were killed, livestock worth millions of naira were stolen, and homes were set ablaze. Lawmakers, including former Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi, emphasized the urgency of decisive action to curb the terrorists’ spread.
Abdullahi stated, “The Senate is aware that a group of terrorists from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, known as Lakurawa, has infiltrated the country through the Nigeria- Niger border, at Illela, Tangaza and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto and are from there, attacking communities in Augie and Arewa LGAs in Kebbi State.
“Recall that this violent gang of terrorists had raided and dispossessed these communities, prior to the large-scale invasion of Mera, a village in Augie Local Government, on November 8, 2024, killing more than 20 people and fleeing with their livestock, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.
“Senate is aware that Kebbi State government promptly responded by sending a delegation with relief materials to the affected villages and assistance to the families of the deceased.
“Aware that Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi North Central) and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), along with some members of the House of Representatives from Kebbi State, have been to those areas, to commiserate with victims of the attacks on behalf of the National Assembly.
“Aware that if timely, adequate and decisive measures are not taken, this group can spread its reign of terror to other northern parts of the country and beyond.
“Notes the prompt response of the ministry of defence and the armed forces who despatched a well-armed military response squad that was able to dislodge the terrorists and secured the release of herds of cattle and other livestock stolen by the terrorists.”
In his contribution, Senator Aliero said, “These terrorists are well armed with highly sophisticated weapons, this is a very serious matter on national security, they control the whole of Northern Mali and now attacking Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, and others. The time to act is now, we have to take action on how to tame terrorism.”
He said the Senate should revisit past resolutions on terrorism and send them to the Presidency for immediate action.
Aliero said, ” I want us to recall what happened in the 8th and 9th Senates. We discussed extensively how we can stem the tide of banditry and terrorism. We made far-reaching recommendations, and we asked the Executive arm of government to implement those resolutions.
“It is still relevant for us to insist that those resolutions should be implemented, if we do so, it will reduce the incidences of banditry and insurgency in the country. We can reduce it to the barest minimum.”
In a separate incident, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the deaths of five soldiers in Borno State following a Boko Haram/ISWAP ambush in Gubio Local Government Area. However, military forces reportedly neutralized 30 terrorists in a subsequent counterattack.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence for victims of the attacks and reiterated the need for stronger military collaboration with local communities to reinforce security and reduce the growing threat of international terrorism in Nigeria.
