The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially declared nine individuals wanted in connection with terrorism and violent extremism in the country’s North East region. This announcement was made by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, during a press briefing held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The individuals identified by the DHQ are: Abu Khadijah, Abur Rahman, Dadi Gumba, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Usman Kanin Shehu, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse. According to the DHQ, these suspects are linked to various acts of extremism and are being sought by security forces to address ongoing security challenges in the region.
In a related development, Major General Buba also highlighted the rise of a new terrorist group known as the ‘Lukarawas,’ which has reportedly begun operations in northwestern Nigeria. This group is believed to have originated in the Republic of Niger following the recent military coup, which impacted the security cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
In the past, collaborative security operations at the border had played a critical role in preventing terrorist incursions. However, the recent disruptions have enabled the ‘Lukarawas’ group to cross from Niger and Mali into the northern Nigerian states of Sokoto and Kebbi.
Major General Buba noted that these terrorists exploited the absence of security cooperation and the region’s challenging terrains to establish themselves in remote areas of northwestern Nigeria.
Initially, some local communities even welcomed the group, mistakenly believing they would bring positive change. This movement was not reported promptly to the security forces, creating further challenges for the DHQ.
In response, Nigerian troops have intensified efforts in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to counter these new threats.
Despite the terrorists’ strategy of using remote, ungoverned areas to hide, troops are actively working to locate and neutralize the threat, reassuring the public that the military is committed to restoring peace in these affected regions.
