Lakurawa Terror Group Membership Not More Than 200 – Major General Laka
Abuja, Nigeria – Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, has sought to reassure Nigerians about the growing threat posed by the Lakurawa terror group, stating that the group’s membership does not exceed 200 individuals.
Speaking on the recent wave of terrorism in Sokoto State and parts of the North West, Laka emphasized that while the threat was concerning, there was no cause for alarm. He assured that the military and other security agencies, under the leadership of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were actively addressing the situation, and the group would soon be neutralized.
“It is true that a new wave of threats by Lakurawa has emerged, but through strategic actions and unwavering public support, we can confront and overcome these threats,” Laka stated during a press briefing.
He noted that since the group’s emergence, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and other security leaders had been in regular meetings to take concrete steps in eradicating the group from Sokoto State and beyond.
Laka acknowledged that the group had adopted new tactics, including the use of technology, to instill fear and disrupt communities. However, he expressed confidence in the resilience of the Nigerian people and their ability to overcome these challenges.
“The members of this group are exploiting the situation by imposing themselves and collecting taxes from the people they were originally invited to protect from bandits,” Laka explained. “This will not be tolerated in any sovereign nation, and the government is determined to ensure they are wiped out.”
The General further clarified the scale of the threat, reassuring Nigerians that the group’s numbers were limited to between 150 and 200 members, far less than the widespread concern suggested.
“The major thing the terrorist group is trying to do is spread fear. People should not fall prey to their tactics. The situation is not as bad as it seems,” he said.
Laka also commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing the necessary resources for security agencies to eliminate terrorism and restore peace to affected regions. The General urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and supportive of the efforts to defeat the group and curb insecurity in the country.
