By Miracle Ogunde
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says the Lakurawa terrorists wrecking havoc in the northern part of Nigeria have been forced to return to their country by the military.
He assured that the sect has been defeated and no longer exist in Nigeria.
Matawalle stated this while addressing journalists at his residence in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara.
He also dismissed the report by the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, who had alleged that Lakurawa terrorists were responsible for the explosive devices that killed several people in the state a few weeks ago.
Speaking on Sunday, the Matawalle said, “I want to make it clear that we have no Lakurawa in any part of the country, not even in Zamfara or Kebbi State.”
He further explained that the Lakurawa terrorists were from Mali and were forced to return to their country by the military.
“They were not even in Kebbi State as earlier reported by the media,” he added.
The defence minister emphasised that the military had dealt decisively with the bandits, forcing them to return to Mali. “We have no Lakurawa in any part of the country,” he reiterated.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in fighting terrorism, calling on all Nigerians to support the administration.
The Lakurawa group, initially emerging around 2016 or 2017 in Sokoto State, began as a self-defence militia invited by local leaders to combat escalating banditry.
The sect has evolved into a radical faction over time, imposing strict religious laws and exerting control over local communities.
Their activities have expanded into Kebbi State, where they have been involved in violent attacks, including a ghastly operation in November 2024 in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area, resulting in multiple deaths and cattle rustling.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters identified Lakurawa as a terrorist group affiliated with extremist elements from Mali and Niger, exacerbating insecurity in the northwestern region.
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