The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised concerns over the emergence of the Lakurawa terrorist group, describing it as a threat that signals an escalation in the already precarious security situation in Nigeria’s North-West Zone.
The Forum has called on the Nigerian military to act swiftly and decisively, using all available human and material resources to eliminate the group and prevent further destruction.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, ACF emphasized the alarming nature of the Lakurawa group’s activities, warning that it represents a new and dangerous chapter in the growing insecurity of the region, which has increasingly become the epicenter of terrorism in Nigeria.
ACF cautioned that the group must not be treated with leniency or allowed to embed itself in local communities through neglect or mild responses, as happened with Boko Haram, farmer-herder conflicts, and banditry in other parts of the country.
The Forum stressed that the government must act decisively to avoid a repeat of these past mistakes.
Furthermore, ACF has called for a comprehensive reassessment of the nation’s security strategies, urging that all measures be taken to eliminate any threats to national peace and stability, including those posed by terror groups like Lakurawa.
The Forum also advocated for a revitalization of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MJTF), especially in cooperation with neighboring countries, including Niger, which ACF believes should be reintegrated into efforts to combat terrorism.
“The visit to Niger earlier this year by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, should serve as a basis for renewed international cooperation in countering terrorism,” the statement added.
ACF further recommended a focus on strengthening intelligence-gathering mechanisms, with greater attention to identifying local informants who may be aiding the terrorists.
The Forum also called for more effective collaboration between national security agencies, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, to ensure a more efficient response to these threats.
