- Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle, disclosed that the Lakurawa terrorist group has been successfully expelled from Nigeria, and no longer operates in Zamfara or Kebbi.
- Matawalle underlined the Nigerian military's decisive actions to drive out the Lakurawa group, dismissing previous reports of their presence in Kebbi State
- Matawalle further hailed President Tinubu and highlighted infrastructure projects and the lifting of the mining ban as part of efforts to combat terrorism and promote national development
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has confirmed that the notorious terror group, Lakurawa, is no longer operating in Nigeria, stating that the militants have been successfully chased out of the country.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, on Sunday, Matawalle categorically dismissed recent claims made by the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, who had suggested that the Lakurawa group was responsible for a series of deadly explosive attacks in the state in recent weeks.
"The Lakurawa terrorist group is no longer in Nigeria, not even in Zamfara or Kebbi States. I want to make it clear that we have no Lakurawa in any part of the country," Matawalle stated.
Lakurawa, which initially emerged in Sokoto State around 2016 or 2017, started as a self-defence militia formed in response to rising banditry.
Over time, however, the group became increasingly radicalised, imposing strict religious laws and exerting control over local communities.
It expanded its activities into Kebbi State, where it carried out violent attacks, including a particularly brutal raid in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area, in November 2024, leading to numerous deaths and widespread cattle rustling.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters had earlier identified Lakurawa as a terrorist group with links to extremist factions from Mali and Niger, contributing to the growing insecurity in the northwestern region.
The group had been known to disrupt local governance, replacing traditional rulers with their own appointed leaders and enforcing their own codes of conduct.
Additionally, Lakurawa recruited local youths, offering financial incentives of up to N1 million in exchange for loyalty.
However, the defence minister confirmed that the military had acted decisively, forcing the Lakurawa terrorists to retreat back to Mali.
"They were not even in Kebbi State, as was earlier reported," Matawalle added, emphasising that the Nigerian military had dealt with the situation effectively.
In his address, Matawalle also expressed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending the President's ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and promote national development.
He pointed to key infrastructure projects, such as the Zaria-Sokoto Road and the Illela-Badagry Road, as examples of the government's commitment to improving the country.
He also highlighted the lifting of the ban on mining as part of efforts to boost economic growth in the northern region.
Matawalle rejected claims made by some critics that President Tinubu was acting against the interests of the North, describing such allegations as unjust.
"I don’t know why some people are criticising him and calling him anti-North. Forget about the negative propaganda of some people who are not wishing his administration well because of political differences," he added.
Military deploys troops to protect farmers in the North, as banditry, terrorism rise
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that farmers had suffered severe attacks from bandits and terrorists, who have indiscriminately destroyed their harvests and harmed them.
The Defence Headquarters announced the deployment of troops to farms throughout the northern regions of the country, with a particular focus on the North West and North Central areas to secure farmers from bandits, terrorists, and other forms of criminal activity.
