New Militant Group ‘Lukarawas’ Emerges in North-Western Nigeria, Military Says

A new militant group, identified as ‘Lukarawas’, has emerged in north-western Nigeria, according to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Major General Buba disclosed that the group is exploiting recent political and military upheavals in neighbouring Niger to gain influence in the region.

Before Niger’s recent coup, Nigeria and Niger had conducted coordinated border security operations to control the area, Buba noted. However, these joint efforts have since been disrupted, leaving vulnerable border communities exposed.

Local communities initially welcomed the group, likely unaware of their true motives, and did not alert authorities to their presence, he added.

Despite the heightened security concern, Major General Buba assured that Nigeria’s military remains committed to countering the group’s activities, with sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations underway to mitigate the threat.