Saturday, November 16, 2024 - A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has disclosed that the insurgent group Lakurawa, which has recently gained notoriety for attacks in Nigeria’s North-West, has existed for years.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Ejiofor refuted claims that
the group is new, tracing its roots to Niger Republic and Mali. This comes
after the Defence Headquarters announced the emergence of Lakurawa as a terror
group operating in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
“The truth is they aren’t new,” Ejiofor
stated during the program. “The group was initially formed by Ibrahim Baré
Maïnassara, the former Nigerien military Head of State, as a vigilante group
working with them. After his death, the Nigerien government neglected them, and
they now scattered.”
Ejiofor explained that a district head in
Sokoto State had invited the group to assist in maintaining security but was
unaware of their ulterior motives. By 2018, the Sokoto State government sought
to expel the group after its activities became concerning. “The part of the
group from Mali left after the negotiation, but the other part from Niger
stayed behind and continued operation,” he added.
Ejiofor further stressed that since Lakurawa is not as widespread as Boko Haram, there is an opportunity for the government and military to eliminate the group. He called for decisive action to curb the escalating insecurity.
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