By Amah
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A new terror group known as ‘Lukarawas’ has surfaced, worsening insecurity in the North West region of Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba informed newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
Buba said that the terrorists began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic.
According to him, before, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorists at bay.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology,” he said.
Buba said that the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them, adding that they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies.
He gave assurance that troops had sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.
He added that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.
According to him, troops were locating them and eliminating the threat.
Meanwhile, Gen Buba said some terrorists operating in the North Central region had indicated interest to surrender and lay down their arms.
Buba said the military had opened its surrendering corridors to those who had expressed interest in surrendering.
According to him, the terrorists knew that they could not match the military strength.
“The options open to them is to surrender or be killed on the battlefield.
“Accordingly, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated surrender.
“We are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose,” he said. (NAN)
