In an intense military operation, Nigerian troops have launched coordinated ground and air attacks against the Lakurawa armed group, causing members to retreat from camps in Kebbi and Sokoto states.
The operation began after the Lakurawa group attacked Mera, a community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving 17 people dead.
Following the incident, soldiers were immediately deployed to Mera, as directed by army headquarters, to restore security in the affected area.
Upon arriving in Kebbi, the troops met with the state’s Deputy Governor, Abubakar Umar Tafida, to discuss the mission and assure the community of federal support.
Abdullahi Idris Zuru, media aide to Kebbi State’s governor, confirmed that troops had successfully forced the Lakurawa group to abandon their camps, leaving behind stolen cattle as they fled.
“The governor has pledged to protect the lives and property of all Kebbi citizens,” Zuru said, noting that this prompted the urgent request for federal assistance.
This deployment is a direct response to rising concerns about security across rural communities in northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups have disrupted daily life and instilled fear among residents.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to the Lakurawa group, assuring that they will be eliminated from Nigeria.
Ribadu’s remarks were made in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We will chase the so-called Lakurawa out of our country,” Ribadu declared, promising that the group’s activities will soon come to an end.
He addressed critics who doubt the government’s ability to control the situation, adding, “We will put critics to shame and shut their mouths in no time.”
Ribadu explained that the government’s efforts to counter terrorism have already yielded results, especially against the notorious Boko Haram group.
“Boko Haram, which has been ravaging our country, is now on the run,” Ribadu said. “Its members are moving to neighboring countries because Nigeria is no longer conducive for their operations.”
The NSA also pointed to economic improvements as evidence of the government’s success, mentioning increases in crude oil production and recent reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Crude oil production has hit 1.8 million barrels per day, and the Central Bank has been sanitized,” Ribadu stated. “No one is taking a dime from the CBN.”
These developments, according to Ribadu, demonstrate the government’s commitment to stabilizing Nigeria’s security and economy.
“When we promised to fix this country, we meant it,” he added. “President Tinubu has never been a failure, and he won’t start now.”
Ribadu’s remarks signal a broader strategy aimed at ensuring the security of communities affected by armed groups like Lakurawa, which have caused increasing instability in northwestern Nigeria.
In recent weeks, Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris has ramped up calls for federal support to combat these armed groups.
This appeal underscores the challenges facing local authorities in securing remote areas, where limited resources and rough terrain often allow armed groups to operate.
The Lakurawa group has reportedly intensified its attacks on villages in recent months, leading to frequent clashes with security forces.
The deployment of troops to Kebbi State reflects a new urgency to dismantle Lakurawa’s operations, as military and security forces work to restore peace across the region.
