Northern groups tackle DHQ as Lukarawas kill 15 Kebbi villagers

Northern groups have risen against the emergence of a new terror group, ‘Lukarawas’, saying it will not allow any further threat to the safety of life and property of the people.

This was as the groups rejected the claim by the Defence Headquarters that some communities welcomed members of Lukarawas in Sokoto and Bauchi states.

The new terror group attacked Mera town in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Friday, killing at least 15 people.

A stakeholder in the community, Bashir Mera, who confirmed the attack, said the group struck when people were getting set for Jumaat prayer, adding that they also stole no fewer than 100 cattle.

Mera said the people of the community mobilised themselves and traced the terror group to the bush to retrieve their cattle.

He said, “On receipt of the news, people of the town mobilised in hundreds and pursued them to the bush in a bid to retrieve the animals, which led to an exchange of fire between the people of the town and the group, after which 15 people and two from the Lakurawas were killed.

“The terrorists are hiding in Sokoto where they also coordinate their attack. Initially, they don’t kill people but confiscate cows and ask owners to pay Zakat, which Muslims pay from their wealth that has attained the level of Zakat, and it has been happening for almost two months. This is their first attack that involves killing in our town, Mera.”

The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, confirmed the emergence of the new terror group, saying it originated in the Republic of Niger after the recent coup that disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.

According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions into remote areas in some north-western states to spread their ideology.

Buba said the terrorists were initially welcomed by locals who believed they had good intentions, and as a result refused to report the movement to the military and security agencies.

Responding to the DHQ’s claim, the Northern Elders Forum accused the security agency of shifting blame away from systemic failures to vulnerable communities.

NEF stated that DHQ’s statement raised concerns about the approach taken by the authorities to end insecurity in the country, adding that such a move was unproductive and could also fuel a dangerous cycle of mistrust, alienation, and hinder genuine efforts to combat terrorism.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the spokesman for NEF, Abdulazeez Sulaiman, said, “The accusation that local communities are ‘harbouring’ terrorists is a sweeping generalisation that lacks nuance.

“While some individuals may provide aid to terrorist groups, it is crucial to recognise that communities are not monolithic entities. Attributing collective responsibility for the actions of a few perpetuates harmful stereotypes and disregards the complexities of social dynamics within these regions.”

Sulaiman said it was essential to address the underlying factors driving individuals to potentially join terror groups instead of resorting to blanket condemnation.

He added, “The Defence Headquarters’ statement conveniently ignores the systemic failures that contribute to the rise of terrorism. Decades of neglect in terms of development, education, and employment opportunities in these states have created a fertile ground for extremist ideologies to flourish.

“Additionally, the lack of accountability for past human rights abuses by security forces has fostered resentment and distrust towards authorities, further pushing vulnerable populations towards alternative, often radicalised, solutions.

“Instead of blaming communities, the government should focus on addressing the root causes of terrorism. This requires implementing genuine development programs, promoting inclusive governance, and ensuring the accountability of security forces.”

However, the Arewa Youth Consultative Council said the new terror group is a politically motivated creation to further destabilise the North.

“The President of the group, Zaid Ayuba, questioned why the security agencies didn’t have an intelligence report before the formation of the group.

“To us, it is one of those politically motivated terror creations to further destabilise the North. You are aware that since 2007 till date, Northern Nigeria has been battling with the menace of Boko Haram and other criminal gangs gradually from cattle rustling to kidnapping. There is no single state in the North that could boast of 100% peace,” said Ayuba.

He asked the Northern stakeholders to take proactive steps and secure the region.

Ayuba added, “We are calling the attention of our critical stakeholders to it. Northern Nigeria has been battling with this and it seems like we are not serious in dealing with this crisis. A criminal group will be formed and they will be treating the matter as if it’s nothing. They will be watching how gradually it will metamorphose into a terror group and gradually it will become an international concern.

“So, we are calling on our government, specifically our Northern Governors, to crush this terror group now. They must crush it before it extends to other neighbouring states.”

Ayuba questioned, “What is happening to the intelligence system of this country? How come the intelligence agencies hardly succeed in making sure that strategic information was gathered to be able to take action beforehand? How come we allow the formation of this criminal gang? How come we allow their operations? How come we allow their existence to the level that we cannot fight them?”