The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, arrived in Sokoto on Monday for his inaugural operational visit to the 8th Division Area of Responsibility.
During his visit, Oluyede is scheduled to engage with key stakeholders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, and meet with frontline troops in Operation Fasan Yamma, which combats terrorism in the North-West region.
The visit comes on the heels of the Defence Headquarters’ confirmation of a new terror group, the Lakurawa, whose activities have intensified insecurity across Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Major General Edward Buba of Defence Media Operations explained the rise of the group, describing them as a sect affiliated with terror networks from Mali and Niger.
“Troops are confronted with a new terrorist sect in the North-West. This sect is known as the Lakurawas, affiliated with terrorists in the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger Republic,” Buba revealed.
“They began incursion into Northern Nigeria, mainly in Sokoto and Kebbi states, coming in through the Niger and Mali axis.”
General Buba added that the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger, following the recent coup in Niger, may have allowed the group to move into Nigeria more freely.
The Lakurawa’s emergence has exacerbated security challenges in five local government areas within Sokoto, prompting the military to intensify counterterrorism measures.
The Nigerian military has also declared nine terrorists wanted in connection with security crises nationwide, marking a heightened crackdown on those contributing to instability.
