The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday urged the military to collaborate with local communities in establishing early warning systems to thwart potential attacks by the Lakurawa terrorist group. This call came after a motion by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), who detailed the group’s recent incursion into Mera village, Kebbi State, resulting in the death of 20 soldiers and the theft of livestock worth millions of naira.
The Senate also appealed to the Federal Government to send an assessment team to Sokoto and Kebbi states to evaluate the damages and provide immediate relief for displaced families.
Senator Abdullahi identified Lakurawa as a terrorist faction from Mali and Burkina Faso that infiltrated Nigeria through the Niger border. He warned that the group’s international connections and possession of high-capacity weapons posed a significant threat, cautioning that “if these terrorists are not decisively dealt with, they can spread across other zones.”
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South) highlighted a similar encounter during his tenure as governor in 2018, when the group was dislodged through a joint operation. However, he emphasized that their resurgence signified an escalating threat to national security.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau drew parallels to the early stages of Boko Haram’s rise, underscoring the urgency of immediate and decisive action. He called for additional support for security agencies to address this evolving challenge, labeling it “a new dimension to insecurity in the region.”
The Senate President commended the military’s prompt response to the November 8 attack while stressing the importance of eradicating the Lakurawa group. He reaffirmed the necessity of coordinated efforts between the military, local communities, and government agencies to safeguard affected areas.
The Senate’s resolution includes maintaining a strong military presence to prevent the group from regrouping, deploying relief materials for victims, and reinforcing border security to mitigate future threats.