Acting army chief storms Sokoto to battle new terror group
Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, has arrived in Sokoto for his first major assignment.
During his time in Sokoto, Oluyede is scheduled to meet with the Sultan of Sokoto and engage with key stakeholders within the 8th Division’s jurisdiction.
He will agenda also address the troops involved in Operation Fasan Yamma, who are actively combating terrorist threats in the region.
This visit comes shortly after the Defence Headquarters confirmed the emergence of a new terror group, known as ‘Lukurawa,’ which recently surfaced in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
READ ALSO:
- CJN says some judges tarnishing image of judiciary
- SERAP tells Tinubu to stop Wike, govs from ‘buying’ judges with car, house gifts
- Military warns as terrorists begin online recruitment
Five local government areas in Sokoto are reported to be grappling with security challenges posed by this new group.
According to Major General Edward Buba of Defence Media Operations, the Lukurawa group has further complicated the security landscape in the North-West. However, he emphasized that the Armed Forces are actively containing this threat.
“Troops are confronted with a new terrorist sect in the North-West. This sect is known as Lukawaras, the Lukawaras are affiliated to terrorists in the Sahel particularly from Mali and Niger Republic,” General Buba said.
He explained that the Lukurawa group’s presence in Northern Nigeria, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi, followed a pathway from Niger and Mali.
This new group’s incursion reportedly began after a coup in Niger, which disrupted longstanding military cooperation between Nigeria and its northern neighbour.
The military has also placed nine terrorists on its wanted list due to their involvement in recent security crises affecting the region.