The military on Thursday announced the existence of a new terrorist group within Sokoto and Kebbi states.
The group Lukarawas, is linked to Islamic State (ISISI) and it members, NewsSpecng learnt crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic and is already causing havoc.
Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj-Gen Edward Buba announced the existence of tue group.
Buba also disclosed plans to take out the terrorists and obliterate them from Nigeria’s territory.
“Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out,” he said.
He added that when they settled in areas between Sokoto and Kebbi, the people did not raise the alarm or reported to security operatives or the military until they started their nefarious activities.
Gen. Buba said: “‘Lukarawas is affiliated with ISIS in Sahelian region, particularly Mali and Niger Republics. And this is the first time the Sahelian jihadists are making an incursion in our country.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology.”
The defence spokesman said 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.
General Buba added: “The people did not report on time until they started causing havoc and placing levies on them.
“Now that we know where they are, we are already going after them, and we will take them out.”
Buba 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 are locating them and eliminating the threat.
General Buba said that the new terror group in Sokoto and Kebbi States emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
