The Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has expressed optimism that the Lukarawa terrorist group will soon be eliminated due to the intensified military offensive against them.
Oluyede made this statement after meeting with President Bola Tinubu to provide an update on the country’s security situation.
One of the major challenges faced by the military, according to Oluyede, is the terrorists fleeing to neighboring Niger Republic to escape the Nigerian military’s operations.
He highlighted the need for cooperation with countries bordering Nigeria, emphasizing that addressing the security threat requires a joint effort, according to Daily Post.
Oluyede noted that the Nigerian military has been effectively targeting the terrorists, and as a result, the group has been fleeing to Niger Republic.
With the cooperation of Niger Republic, he expressed confidence that the Lukarawa group will soon be eradicated.
The Lukarawa terrorist group emerged recently and was found to have set up camps in 10 local government areas in Sokoto and Bauchi states. Investigations revealed that the group initially established bases in villages along the border with Niger Republic, including Gwanaguano, Mulawa, Wassinya, and Turigaic communities. The group later infiltrated Nigeria and expanded its operations into areas such as Gudu and Tangaza local government areas in Sokoto.
It was also discovered that the group’s members use a mix of Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic languages in their communications.
Oluyede’s visit to the President was intended to assure him of his commitment to improving the country’s security and exploring new approaches to achieve better results. He emphasized his dedication to making Nigeria safer and sought the President’s continued support in these efforts.
“We have to get in touch with them(neighbouring countries) because you know it affects them too, that is why we all need to come on board to tackle them, we are hitting them hard at the Nigerian end and what is expected is that once you hit them hard at this end they will flee to Niger Republic, so now that Niger Republic is coming on board that means very soon, Lukarawa will be a thing of the past.
“Well in a way it is related to my appointment, I am here to reassure Mr President that I will do my best to make Nigeria better in terms of security and that I am going to explore doing this maybe in a different way. I’ll get some other results that will make Nigeria better. That’s my major aim of coming and to seek his support,” he stated.
