The Military High Command on Thursday raised a fresh alarm over the emergence of a dreaded new terrorist group called ‘Lukarawas’ in the North-West zone
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba raised the concern in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military against insurgency activities in the various theatres of operations across the zones in the country
He explained that the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
According to him, “The new terrorists began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in the Niger Republic, before the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorists at bay.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North-western states to spread their ideology.”
He lamented that the group was being accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them and that because of this they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies.
Buba who hinted that the military had already declared Numbers of the group wanted pointed out that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.
He, however, said that the troops were taking necessary actions including Intelligence gathering, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.
According to him, “Our gallant troops are locating them and eliminating the threat., we are appealing to citizens to assist us with useful information about the criminal elements.”
This came just as he assured that the sudden passage of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja would not detail the resolve of the Military end terrorist activities in the country
He said ,rather this would further motivated the troops at the war fronts to put in their best in honouring the former COAS who died a great warrior
According to him, “Even as the armed forces mourn the tragic passing away of the COAS, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja, we will not allow his passing to derail our focus to destroy the terrorists. We are rather inspired by his actions on the battlefield as a war commander as well as his strong desire to defeat the terrorist in order to end the war.
Speaking on the operations of the troops in the last one month, Buba said, “Troops have done a tremendous job of significantly dismantling the terror groups across the country, in various theatres of operations. Our strategy remains to undermine the ability of these terror groups and their cohorts.
“Troops conducted simultaneous strikes on several terrorist enclaves and hideouts across the country. The Airforce carried out bombardments and air interdiction on these terrorist hideouts and enclaves with precision, thereby diminishing the fighting capabilities of these terrorist.
“Truly, the terrorist knows that they cannot match our military strength. The options open to them is to surrender or be killed in the battlefield.
“Accordingly, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated to surrender. We are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose.”
He said that the only option left for the terrorists now was to surrender or to die in the battle
According to him, “We are working towards this, even at the war front, once the enemy has indicated that intentions to surrender, it is a crime to shoot again , so, we are embracing their intentions to surrender.”
Buba further explained that in the month under review,, the troops neutralized 481 terrorist, arrested 741 persons including terrorist and rescued 492 kidnapped hostages.
According to him, “Furthermore, troops recovered 480 weapons and 9,026 assorted immunizations. Whilst they denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of close to #4 bn (N3,896,400.960.00) only.
“Breakdown for the month of October includes and is not limited to the following: 263 AK47 rifles, 81 locally fabricated guns, 91 dane guns, 76 pump action guns, 5,683 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,944 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 642 cartridges, 160 assorted arms and 1,526 assorted ammunition.
“Others are 3,226,645 litres of stolen crude oil, 763,860 litres of illegally refined AGO and 12,690 litres of PMS amongst other item.”
He assured that the military would continue to work decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity in the nation and ensure the safety of citizens, saying that the armed forces remained in a good and strong position in this war, and would win the war.
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