…want deployment of 40,000 military personnel

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- NORTHERN groups under the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, Monday, begged the Federal Government to immediately eliminate the new dreaded sect, Lakurawa operating in the North West region of the country.

The call was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, CNG, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, where the Coalition said concerted effort is demanded to frontally and holistically tackle the emergence of the terrorist group, basically based in Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, calls for concerted efforts among all stakeholders to tackle the emergence of a terrorist group called Lakurawa around the Sokoto-Kebbi axis.

“The CNG particularly charges local, state, and federal authorities on one hand and communities, religious and traditional leaders on the other hand to join hands together to confront this new common threat.

“We have unfortunately heard of the emergence of a new terror group identified as ‘Lakurawa’, reportedly operating around Kebbi and Sokoto States in North-Western Nigeria. This development poses yet another threat to the safety and security of residents and has the potential to further destabilize an already vulnerable region if left unchecked.

“Reports reaching the CNG indicate that the Lakurawa group has begun establishing itself with intentions that appear to mirror the tactics of other violent organizations that have, over time, spread terror across the region.

“The CNG confirmed that this group has already begun creating an atmosphere of fear, disrupting local communities, and killing lives and livelihoods of the residents.

“The emergence of this group is particularly concerning given the historical and ongoing security challenges the northern region faces, including banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping.

“We reliably gathered that they give monetary incentives to youths in rural communities in Sokoto for the purpose of recruiting an army of youths into their fold.

“We urge the federal government, security agencies, state and local government authorities to take decisive and proactive measures to address this threat while it is still in its infancy.

“The CNG strongly calls on the federal government to significantly raise the number of troops currently combating the insecurity in the Northwest subregion as their current figure of about 13,000 is not just inadequate but also stretches their power and will to thoroughly eliminate the terrorists destroying the region.”

However, the Coalition lamented that “insufficiency of combatants on ground in the frontline states had resulted in resurgence of attacks and killings in many LGAs across the three states such as Tsafe, Gusau, Funtua, Jibia and Sokoto among others.”

Meanwhile, the Coalition recommended that, “At least 40,000 fully combatant troops be deployed to the Northwest which will be complemented by the local community security watch to confront the challenge head-on.

“The CNG suggests that an immediate, well-coordinated response across all levels of government is imperative to prevent Lakurawa from gaining further strength and territorial control.

“CNG calls on security agencies to deploy intelligence, surveillance, and tactical operations in affected areas to identify and dismantle this group’s network before it entrenches itself.

“The CNG extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and good people of Kebbi State over the killing of 15 persons in Augie local government area of the state in such a despicable manner. We pray that may Allah rest their souls and hasten the healing of the wounded.”