Coalition decries new terror group as Shekarau flays intelligence failure

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), yesterday, issued a warning about the emergence of a new terror group, Lakurawa, reportedly active in the Sokoto-Kebbi axis in the northwestern region.

The group also urged a unified response from all stakeholders, including local, state, and federal authorities, as well as communities, religious and traditional leaders, to confront the growing threat.

CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, in a statement, expressed concern about reports of Lakurawa’s activities, “which mirror the tactics of other violent groups that have terrorised the region.”

He said the group had begun creating an atmosphere of fear, disrupting local communities, and killing lives and livelihoods of residents.

His words: “The emergence of this group is particularly concerning, given the historical and ongoing security challenges the northern region faces, including banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping.”

BESIDES, erstwhile governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has blamed lack of effective intelligence for emergence of the new terror group.

He said the federal and state governments could address the issue emergent terrorist groups via proper intelligence gathering and community policing .

About six persons have reportedly lost their lives, with scores injured after angry youths attacked Fulani residents at Mera community in Augie Local Council of Kebbi State.

On a live programme, Shekarau said: “This is giving us an impression that our intelligence gathering is still below average because if the intelligence has been up and doing from all the agencies, then this thing should have been discovered earlier than now. The new insurgents have already started attacking communities by giving them all kinds of nightmares and collecting levies.

“I think we have had enough of insurgents we are battling with, so for them to have come in from neighbouring countries like Niger Republic into the borders of Sokoto and Kebbi, I think we need to do a lot of restructuring of the security architecture.”