The Senate has raised the alarm over the infiltration of terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso, operating under the group Lakurawa, into Nigeria’s north-west and north-central regions.
The terrorists are reported to have invaded states such as Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Niger, escalating fears of a worsening security crisis with international implications.
This alert follows similar warnings issued by the House of Representatives, the Arewa Consultative Forum, northern leaders, and traditional rulers. In response, the Senate has urged the military to establish early warning systems to prevent further incursions and to maintain vigilance and presence in affected communities. It also called for collaboration with local communities and other security agencies to curtail the activities of the terror group.
The Upper Chamber commended the military for their quick response to insurgence across Nigeria but tasked the federal government with dispatching an assessment team to evaluate the damage caused by the terrorists and identify the immediate relief needs of affected families.
This motion followed reports of a recent attack in Kebbi State, where terrorists raided communities, killing over 17 people and destroying properties. The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims.
The motion, titled “Urgent Need for the Federal Government to Take Stringent Measures to Stop the Infiltration of a Group of Violent Terrorists, Known as Lakurawa,” was presented by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North) and co-sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) and Garba Musa Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South).
Senator Abdullahi stated, “The Senate is aware that a group of terrorists from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, known as Lakurawa, has infiltrated the country through the Nigeria-Niger border, at Illela, Tangaza, and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto and are from there attacking communities in Augie and Arewa LGAs in Kebbi State.
“Recall that this violent gang of terrorists had raided and dispossessed these communities prior to the large-scale invasion of Mera, a village in Augie Local Government, on November 8, 2024, killing more than 20 people and fleeing with their livestock, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.”
Senator Abdullahi also acknowledged the Kebbi State government for promptly providing relief materials to affected villages and assisting the families of the deceased. He cautioned that without timely intervention, the terror group could expand its operations to other northern parts of the country.
Senator Adamu Aliero called for revisiting past Senate resolutions on terrorism, “These terrorists are well armed with highly sophisticated weapons. This is a very serious matter on national security. They control the whole of Northern Mali and are now attacking Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, and others. The time to act is now, and we have to take action on how to tame terrorism.”
Aliero urged the Senate to ensure the implementation of earlier recommendations on addressing terrorism, arguing that this would significantly reduce the threat.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South) highlighted the recurring nature of such attacks, recalling similar incursions in 2018 when he served as governor of Sokoto State, “We need to nip the situation in the bud. They have international connections, heavily armed with very dangerous weapons. The federal government should take the matter very seriously.”
In a related development, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the killing of five soldiers in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State during an ambush by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. In the ensuing battle, over 30 terrorists were neutralised, while several escaped with injuries.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said:
“The attack resulted in the destruction of equipment, including one gun truck, three TCVs, and an excavator.”
A reinforcement team supported by an air component was deployed to pursue the attackers. Sources revealed that this was the second assault in the area within days, as insurgents had earlier killed 18 soldiers in a separate attack.
