New Terrorist Group ‘Lukarawas’ Emerges In Northwestern Nigeria

By Onoja Baba, Abuja, Nigeria

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the formation of a new terrorist group, identified as ‘Lukarawas,’ infiltrating Nigeria’s northwestern regions, specifically Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The group is believed to have originated in the Republic of Niger, following a recent military coup that disrupted long-standing security cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this development during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Buba, the destabilising effects of the Niger coup allowed Lukarawas members to infiltrate Nigerian territory, exploiting previously secured border areas now vulnerable due to weakened cross-border intelligence-sharing and joint operations.

“The terrorists took advantage of gaps in security cooperation between both countries, exploiting difficult terrains to enter remote areas in northwestern states and spread their ideology,” said Buba.

Initially, some locals believed the group’s intentions were benign, unknowingly allowing their presence without alerting security agencies.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ramped up Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities to monitor and degrade Lukarawas operations.

Buba assured that the military remains committed to locating and neutralizing the threat, which has been leveraging vast, ungoverned spaces to evade security forces and harass communities.

Reports from the Sokoto State Police Command further corroborate the presence of Lukarawas in the region.

Police spokesperson Ahmed Rufai confirmed that the group, heavily armed, has been operating in the local government areas of Gudu, Tangaza, Binji, Illela, and one unnamed area, attempting to impose its radical beliefs on residents.

The recent emergence of Lukarawas signals a new challenge for Nigeria’s security apparatus in an already volatile region. Authorities continue to urge communities to report suspicious activities promptly and are intensifying counterterrorism measures to address the threat.