Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed Thursday the emergence of a new terrorist group, known as ‘Lukarawas,’ which has begun infiltrating the Northwest region, further escalating the insecurity faced by residents.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed the group’s presence during a press briefing, attributing its arrival in Nigeria to the recent political turmoil in neighboring Niger.
Local Misconceptions Aid Terrorists
Maj.-Gen. Buba revealed that initial support from local communities enabled the group’s foothold, as residents mistakenly believed Lukarawas harbored peaceful intentions.
“The group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them,” Buba stated, adding that this unintended assistance aided the group’s establishment in the region.
In response, the Nigerian military has ramped up Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to locate and neutralize the group.
Buba noted that Lukarawas is exploiting vast, under-governed areas across Northwest Nigeria, using the terrain to evade military forces and intimidate local communities.
“The terror group has continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals,” he added.
