The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reassured Nigerians of decisive progress in eradicating the Lukarawa terror group, stating that the group would soon be relegated to history. Speaking on Monday after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Oluyede highlighted intensified military operations and reinforced cross-border collaborations as critical components of the effort. “We are hitting them hard at the Nigerian end, and once you hit them hard here, they tend to flee to Niger Republic. Now that Niger Republic is coming on board, that means very soon, Lukarawa will be a thing of the past,” he declared.
The Army Chief emphasized the importance of partnerships with neighboring countries to address the regional threat posed by the Lukarawa group. “We need to work together with neighboring countries because these issues affect them too. By cooperating, we can address the threat more effectively,” he said.
The Lukarawa terror group, initially a self-defense militia formed by local leaders in Sokoto State around 2016-2017, has since transformed into a radical faction. The group imposes harsh religious laws, disrupts governance, and carries out violent attacks in Sokoto and Kebbi States.
Their activities include a November 2024 raid in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area, Kebbi State, resulting in loss of lives and large-scale cattle theft. Lukarawa’s recruitment strategies, offering youths financial incentives up to ₦1 million, have further entrenched its influence in the region. The Defence Headquarters has classified the group as a terrorist organization with links to extremist networks in Mali and Niger.
Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, who recently assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff, reaffirmed his commitment to tackling insecurity with innovative strategies. “I am here to reassure Mr. President that I will do my best to make Nigeria better in terms of security. I intend to adopt a different approach to achieve significant results,” he said.
Following his visits to military operations in the northwest and northeast, Oluyede encouraged troops to redouble efforts in eliminating insecurity, pledging a fresh approach to achieve better outcomes.
“I made it clear that I intend to do things differently and expect better results going forward,” he stated.
With intensified efforts against the Lukarawa group and strengthened international collaboration, Nigerians are hopeful that this marks a turning point in the fight against terrorism in the northwest. As the Army Chief steers the military toward a decisive victory, the nation remains watchful, eager to see the eradication of one of its most persistent threats.