Senate Sounds Alarm Over Foreign Terrorist Infiltration in Nigeria’s Northwest

The Nigerian Senate has sounded the alarm over the infiltration of terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso into the northwest region of the country, including states like Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kaduna, as well as Niger State in the north-central. The group, operating under the name Lakurawa, has expanded the scope of their activities, adding a concerning international dimension to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.

This warning comes just days after similar concerns were raised by the House of Representatives, the Arewa Consultative Forum, and northern leaders. In response, the Senate has urged the military to implement early warning mechanisms and increase vigilance in affected communities to prevent the terror group from entrenching itself further. They also called for the deployment of an assessment team to the impacted areas to evaluate damages and provide relief to affected families. The military’s prompt response to insurgencies was commended.

The motion highlighting the urgent need for action was presented by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North, and co-sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South). The Senate observed a minute of silence for victims of a recent attack in Kebbi State, where over 17 people were killed, and homes were destroyed.

In his presentation, Senator Abdullahi detailed how the terrorists entered Nigeria through the Niger border, targeting communities in Sokoto and Kebbi States. He recounted the group’s violent raid on Mera village in Kebbi’s Augie Local Government Area on November 8, 2024, where over 20 people were killed, and livestock worth hundreds of millions of naira was stolen. He further noted that state officials had provided relief materials to affected villages and support to the bereaved families.

Other senators stressed the gravity of the situation. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described the invasion as a troubling development, while former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal recalled a similar incursion in 2018 and emphasized the need for federal intervention. Senator Adamu Aliero pointed out that the group controls large parts of northern Mali and is now extending its operations to Nigeria, urging immediate action to curb the spread of terrorism.

Senator Aliero also called on the Senate to revisit past recommendations on addressing banditry and insurgency, pressing the executive to implement these measures to minimize the threat.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that five soldiers were killed during an ambush by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Despite the loss, troops neutralized 30 terrorists in subsequent engagements. According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the military encountered the terrorists in a heavy gunfight, during which significant equipment, including a gun truck and other vehicles, was destroyed.

Sources revealed that insurgents launched multiple attacks to overwhelm a special military unit stationed in the Kareto community. While a previous assault on August 16 resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers and injuries to others, subsequent reinforcements and air support successfully countered the attackers. The special forces, deployed to the area to enable the safe return of displaced villagers, remain resolute in securing the region despite ongoing challenges.