LUKARAWA: Another Threat To Northern Nigeria -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

The frightening news which filtered the air on the emergency of lukarawa terrorists group in Sokoto and Kebbi has further raised question on when the war against banditry in the north will end? The emergency of this deadly group has taken many northerners by surprise, elicited doubts about the validity of the news until the Defence Headquarters confirmed the story. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on military operations on Thursday in Abuja. Buba stated that the new terror group originated in the Republic of Niger after the recent coup, which disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger republic. After their emergency, lukarawa stroke Mera community in Augie local government in Kebbi state, killed 15 people and carted away 100 of cattle.

Lukarawa terrorist group has emerged at a time the federal government is recording great success in war against terrorists and bandits through deployment of combat ready troops in Zamfara, katsina and other banditry infested states. Though, our military has a history of resilience and persistence in war front and will undoubtedly flush this arm group in no distant time, their emergency is a set back on war against terrorism in Nigeria. It is not understatement, banditry in the north has wrecked great havoc resulted in the lost of thousand lives and displacement of hundred of farming communities. This is the reason the sudden emergency of lukarawa sparked fears in the mind of many northern Nigerian. In recent times, Sokoto’s communities had recorded pocket of strikes believed to have been carried out by bandits from Zamfara forest. The same attacks were violently carried out in Kebbi border communities. While Sokoto and Kebbi communities have enjoyed considerable peace, the emergency of this new arm group who are operating in forest will shatter or dash their hopes.

It has been observed ,lukarawa terrorist group has been inducing unemployed youths with money to join them. With the high rate of unemployment and poverty in Sokoto and Kebbi state, teeming youths are susceptible to manipulation and easy recruitment. This calls for quick response from government to stop gullible youths from temptation and joining the deadly group. Northern governors should stop playing the ostrich game and address the underlying causes of insecurity in the region. It is quite unfortunate, the once burbling northern Nigeria has become a fertile ground for all manner of insurgents. Unless twin evil of poverty and unemployment are fully addressed, good governance at the grassroots activated, northern Nigeria will continue to witness the resurrection of violent and arm groups. If lukarawa terrorists have emerged due to the fallout between Niger republic military Junta and Nigeria government, which led to the joint-patrol between the duo countries to collapse and make our borders porous, security agencies should intensify fight across our borders communities.

The renew attacks on farming communities in Sokoto and Kebbi states by lukarawa terrorist group should not be treated with kids glove. Nigerian government should reach out, appeal to the Niger military junta for military cooperation and joint patrol. With the emergency of lukarawa terrorists, it seems there are more similar groups with violent ideologies ready to emerge. It behoves on government to beam up searchlight through intelligence gathering in other to defeat lukarawa and fish out more terrorism group living in northern Nigeria and beyond.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State.08169056963.