The Defence Headquarters announced on Thursday that nine additional terrorists have been officially declared wanted.
However, unlike prior announcements, the names were released without a monetary bounty for their capture.
The named individuals include Abu Khadijah, Abdurrahman, Dadi Gumba, also known by the alias Abu Muhammed, Usman Kanin Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Ibrahim Suyeka, BA Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.
Each of these figures has been identified as a critical threat by the DHQ due to their affiliations and activities.
A significant new development revealed during the briefing by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, was the emergence of a fresh terror group known as ‘Lukarawas.’ Operating primarily out of northwestern Nigeria, this group reportedly originated from the Republic of Niger.
According to Buba, the Lukarawas group began forming shortly after the recent military coup in Niger disrupted established security collaborations with Nigeria.
Buba highlighted the impact of the coup on security efforts along the Nigeria-Niger border, explaining that previous joint operations had been effective in containing such threats.
Following the coup, these operations ceased, allowing Lukarawas militants to infiltrate northern Sokoto and Kebbi States from Mali and Niger.
“This new group that has penetrated the northwestern part of the country, known as the Lukarawas, is affiliated with ISIS in the Sahelian region. It is indeed the first attempt by Sahelian jihadists to establish a foothold in our country,” Buba stated.
Notably, he added that recent intelligence has revealed the precise locations of these terrorists.
Upon entering local communities, the Lukarawas members reportedly adopted distinct markers, such as long beards for men and hijabs for women, aiming to influence residents with their ideology. Buba criticized certain locals for not immediately reporting the presence of the Lukarawas, noting that some even welcomed the terrorists, mistakenly believing they might provide protection against other threats.
“They embraced them, thinking that they would protect them from terrorists or other threats, allowing them to settle in and spread their ideology. Having settled in and gained a foothold, they started imposing levies on the people. It was only at that point that the locals felt the need to notify us.”
Buba expressed the necessity of local cooperation to combat terrorist activities and stressed that intelligence from residents is essential to help security forces address threats promptly.
“Winning this war without the support of the people is impossible,” he emphasized.
He urged citizens to report unusual behavior or strangers within their communities immediately, warning that a lack of early alerts could allow such groups to impose further control over communities.
In response to the threat posed by the Lukarawas, Buba reassured the public that military forces are actively working to locate, disrupt, and eliminate the group’s strongholds.
Troops are employing extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations to track the terrorists as they continue to exploit Nigeria’s under-governed areas for concealment.
The military, Buba confirmed, remains committed to diminishing the group’s influence and protecting affected communities.
