The acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto to eliminate the newly emerged terror group, Lukarawa.
Oluyede’s visit to the division on Sunday was aimed at boosting morale and ensuring the troops are adequately prepared to combat the group, which has been enticing young people in the state to join its ranks.
The Defence Headquarters recently identified Lukarawa as a new threat operating in Kebbi and Sokoto States. The group is reportedly linked to jihadi factions in neighboring Mali and Niger, sparking concerns about a potential security crisis in the northwestern region of Nigeria.
“The emergence of the group is linked to political instability in Mali and Niger, which has fuelled the spread of extremist elements into Nigeria. He explained that this group is a direct fallout of the political instability in these neighbouring countries,”
Oluyede, also appealed to residents of Masallaci community in Tangaza Local Government Area to cooperate with the military by providing timely and accurate information that will aid in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
“I am here to assess my troops. You see, there will always be challenges. The issue is how we react to these challenges. One of the reasons I am here is to charge up my soldiers to rise to the challenge, and that we shall do.
“My charge to the community people is for them to support us. If we don’t get their support we can’t succeed. And if we don’t succeed that means the country won’t be secured. We need the support of Nigerians so that we can have economic prosperity in the country,
“I am here to see my soldiers to assess their state of readiness and to charge them to continue to do what they have been doing best to secure the country in general.”
The acting COAS, has been actively involved in the efforts, visiting the Sultan of Sokoto and other key stakeholders to seek support and collaboration. He also met with troops of Operation Fasan Yamma to boost their morale and ensure they are well-equipped to combat the threat.
The Army’s commitment to securing the northwest region is evident in its deployment of troops to critical areas like Illela Local Government Area. By fostering collaboration with other security agencies, the military aims to effectively neutralize the Lukarawa group and restore peace to the affected communities.
