The Federal Government, yesterday, vowed to kick the Lakurawa terror group out of Nigeria. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, made the vow at the Comptroller General of Customs’ Conference in Abuja.
  
“This Lukarawa terror group, or whatever it is called, is making a mistake. “Nobody ever dares Tinubu and wins. They have come at the wrong time. Nobody has ever defeated Tinubu. We will kick you out of Nigeria,” Ribadu said.  He added that the Nigerian government had made gains against insecurity, stating that hundreds of bandits had been killed in the last months.
   
Recall that barely a week ago, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the emergence of the terror group in Kebbi and Sokoto states. The group has been wreaking havoc in parts of the Northwest region in the past few days.

BESIDES, a report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL) has revealed that no fewer than 1,545 persons were killed and 971 others abducted nationwide last month.
  
According to the security report released yesterday, the development comes amid the rise of a new terror group, “Lakurawa” in the Northwest region.  The October 2024 Nigeria Security Report of the organisation highlighted deteriorating security conditions, with a 51 per cent rise in fatalities and a 24.42 per cent increase in abductions. 
  
Speaking, the CEO of BSIL, Dr Kabir Adamu, lamented the situation, noting: “We just published our October report. What it says is that the situation has deteriorated. If it continues at this rate, perhaps we are likely to get more fatalities in Nigeria.”
  
The document revealed that during the period, 861 incidents were recorded, with 64.92 per cent linked to security threats and 67.70 per cent of fatalities being civilian deaths. 
 
The Northeast and Northwest witnessed the most incidents, while the Southeast experienced the fewest, it added. Adamu stressed that poor socio-economic conditions, political instability, and climate change fuelled insecurity. 
 
“We have a very weak and ineffective security management system that has not been able to address the root causes and manifestation of insecurities in the country,” he explained.
  
The report also observed Nigeria’s failure to implement its three main counter-terrorism laws effectively.  Adamu underscored the need for these measures, which include securing borders and forming partnerships with neighbouring countries, stating: “Most Nigerians are not even aware of the existence of these documents. ”

HOWEVER, recent operations of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA under the Northwest Operation FARAUTAR MUJIYA against the Lakurawa group in Kebbi State have reportedly forced the new armed group into retreat. 
   
A security and intelligence expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, explained that the coordinated air and ground strikes on Lakurawa camps had led to the seizure of livestock and other resources, which have been a vital revenue stream for the group.
  
According to him, in the wake of the attack, the Lakurawa group is reportedly withdrawing towards Borgu, a strategic area near the Nigeria-Benin border. 
Known for its remote terrain and access to cross-border livestock and grain markets, Borgu has historically provided cover for the group’s operations and trade-based income sources.  He hinted that the group’s retreat was a potential attempt to exploit less-monitored border regions to regroup and reestablish revenue streams.
  
Relatedly, the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim, Salim Ishaq Umar, an indigene of Gusau, who escaped from a terrorist enclave in Munhaye Forest of Zamfara State after 47 days in captivity.
   
The escape, according to Makama, occurred on the morning of November 12, after which the victim sought help from military personnel stationed nearby.He added that following the rescue, the victim was transported to the CT 7 headquarters in Tsafe, where military personnel conducted a preliminary debriefing.
   
Umar, who relived his traumatic story, revealed the brutal tactics being employed by criminal groups in Zamfara. He said he was abducted from his home on the night of August 8, when three armed men, one of whom wielded an AK-47 rifle, woke him from sleep and took him into the bush.