Lakurawa Terror Group Limited to 200 Members, No Cause for Alarm – Major General Laka

The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, has reassured Nigerians that the Lakurawa terror group, responsible for recent unrest in Sokoto State and parts of the North West, consists of fewer than 200 members. He emphasized that the situation does not warrant widespread alarm, as security forces are taking decisive action to neutralize the threat.

Speaking in Abuja, Major General Laka explained that the military, under the guidance of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has already mobilized a strategic operation to eliminate Lakurawa and other extremist threats. He credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration with providing the necessary resources to tackle insecurity effectively.

“The emergence of the Lakurawa group is indeed a concern, but Nigerians should rest assured that through coordinated military strategies and public support, we will defeat this threat,” Laka stated.

He revealed that top security officials, including the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff, have convened multiple meetings to implement robust measures aimed at dismantling the group.

Laka also pointed out the group’s attempts to exploit technology and spread fear to disrupt communities, urging Nigerians to remain resilient and avoid falling prey to fear-mongering.

“The members of this group are not more than 150 to 200. Their primary tactic is to spread fear and division, but we must not give them that power,” he said.

He further explained that the group initially gained acceptance by providing security against bandits in some communities but later began imposing illegal taxes on residents, an act that will not be tolerated in a sovereign nation.

“The NSA is on top of the situation, and the President is fully supporting the security agencies in rooting out these terrorists and restoring peace across the region,” he added.