New terror group ‘Lukarawas’ has emerged: DHQ confirms

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas,’ heightening security challenges in the northwestern region of Nigeria.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the disclosure during a military operations briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

The newly formed terror group reportedly infiltrated northern Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Republic of Niger, following the breakdown in military cooperation caused by Niger’s recent coup.

Buba explained that prior to the coup, joint border operations between Nigerian and Nigerien security forces had successfully kept terrorist activities in check.

He noted that the Lukarawas terrorists exploited the suspended border collaborations and used difficult terrains for incursions. “The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some Northwestern states to spread their ideology,” Buba stated.

He revealed that the group was initially welcomed by local communities, who mistakenly believed the terrorists had good intentions and failed to report their movements to authorities.

Despite the challenge, Buba assured that military forces are employing sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations to weaken and eliminate the threat. He added that the Lukarawas continue to use under-governed and remote regions to evade security forces and harass local populations, but emphasized that troops are actively locating and neutralizing them.

This latest development underlines the need for reinforced regional cooperation and vigilant local involvement to curb the rise of new terror threats.