The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that it is intensifying efforts to disrupt recruitment activities by a new terrorist group, Lukarawa, which recently began targeting young people to join its ranks.
The group, which emerged in northern Nigeria, is reportedly active in Sokoto and Kebbi states and has been linked to operations coming from Niger Republic and Mali, especially following the recent coup in Niger.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Media Operations at DHQ, revealed that Lukarawa has been actively reaching out to local youths through online messages, religious sermons, and promises of financial aid to increase its influence.
He expressed concerns that some communities have allowed Lukarawa members to operate freely without informing authorities. This, he said, complicates military efforts to control the spread of the group.
On Friday, the group launched a deadly attack on Mera, a town in Kebbi State, leaving at least 15 residents dead and taking over 100 cows. The assault occurred as residents prepared for weekly Jumaat prayers, heightening fears among local communities.
Security experts have observed that while Lukarawa’s presence may not represent an immediate large-scale threat, their influence could grow if left unchecked.
Former Department of State Services (DSS) Director Mike Ejiofor noted that Lukarawa has actually operated in the region since 2018, though its influence has remained limited.
He said, “It must be clear that this group has been there since 2018. It’s not a new group. They have been there since 2018. They were brought in there by the community leader who wanted to help them fight. This group was formed by Nassala in Niger Republic. So when he died, the Nigerien government could not control them.
“So they were invited to assist them in Sokoto. They were there, but eventually, the Sokoto State government used their non-kinetic approach to make them leave that place through negotiation.
“Some of them remained, and they’ve been operating on a very new team. So it’s not as if it’s a new terrorist group that has just emerged.
“So they’ve been there, and the intelligence agencies have been following their activities. I can’t tell you the exact number now, but they are not men that can pose a major threat to our national security.
“But that is not to say that we will leave them. The intelligence circle is also following their activities.”
Ejiofor stated that security agencies must intensify their intelligence efforts and communities must support these agencies to help eliminate the terror group.
He said, “Yes, they might be trying to recruit some people. The intelligence services are monitoring their activities with a view to putting them in check so that they don’t take root within that area.
“There’s no cause for alarm, but you cannot at the same time underplay any security threat in the country. There’s much we can do through communal support.”
He blamed the community for not reporting the activities of the bandits.
“If they report, they’ll be in trouble. If they fail to report, they’ll be in trouble. So the best thing is to support the government.
“You know, they collect taxes from these people and make them raise funds and all these things. So they are in a precarious position.
“I think the best thing for us to do is to intensify intelligence efforts and operational efforts from the security agencies to make sure they are put in check before they spread,” he said.
