Army increases manhunt to crack down Lukarawa in the northern region

The acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, visited the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto on Sunday to assess efforts against a new terror group, Lukarawa, operating in the region. The group, which has been recruiting youths in Sokoto and Kebbi States, has raised significant security concerns due to its links with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger.

In his visit, Oluyede directed the troops to eliminate the Lukarawa group, which has been linked to political instability in neighboring Mali and Niger. He emphasized the importance of community support in the fight against terrorism, urging local residents to provide timely and accurate information to help the military.

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The emergence of Lukarawa, a group with extremist ideologies similar to those of Boko Haram, has been a growing concern in northern Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi states. The group is reported to have been recruiting local youths by offering financial incentives of up to N1 million.

The Nigerian military has deployed troops from Operation Fasan Yamma to Sokoto and Kebbi to confront the threat. In addition, the Nigerian Air Force has launched air strikes to target terrorist camps, including those belonging to notorious bandit leader Ado Aleiro in Zamfara and Kebbi States.

Local residents have reported that Lukarawa has been extorting taxes from cattle owners and imposing their strict religious beliefs on communities, often resorting to violence when their demands are not met. This has included flogging religious leaders and engaging in violent confrontations with bandits and local security forces.

In response to these developments, the Arewa Consultative Forum has called on the Nigerian government to take decisive and immediate action against the Lukarawa group to prevent its further spread and entrenchment, urging a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security strategies.