Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that the country has successfully eradicated the presence of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
Speaking at his residence in Gusau, Zamfara State’s capital, Matawalle affirmed that the militants, initially from Mali, had been driven out of Nigeria by the military.
Addressing journalists, Matawalle rejected claims by Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, who alleged that Lakurawa terrorists were behind recent deadly explosions in the state.
The minister categorically stated, “We have no Lakurawa in any part of the country, not even in Zamfara or Kebbi State.”
The Lakurawa group first emerged in Sokoto State around 2016 or 2017, starting as a local militia to combat banditry. However, the group evolved into a radical organization, imposing strict religious codes and disrupting traditional governance.
Their violent activities extended to Kebbi State, with attacks like the November 2024 assault in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area, where lives were lost, and cattle were stolen.
Matawalle credited Nigeria’s military for decisively expelling the group. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening the country’s counterterrorism strategies.
The minister highlighted key initiatives, such as the lifting of the mining ban and road infrastructure projects, as examples of the administration’s commitment to national development.
Matawalle urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s efforts, dismissing claims that the President is anti-North as unfounded propaganda. “Forget about the negative propaganda of some people who are not wishing his administration well because of political differences,” he said.
