Senator representing Kebbi North Senatorial District, Yahaya Abdullahi has revealed that the violent terrorist group known as “Lakurawa” are of Burna Faso and Mali origin infiltrating into the country through the Nigeria-Niger border.
Abdullahi came through Order 42 of Senate Rules to lament the raid of his constituents in Kebbi and other communities in Sokoto State, urging the Senator to impress on the Federal Government to rid the two States of these criminal gangs.
In a motion which was co-sponsored by Senator Adamu Aliero, Kebbi Central and Garba Maidoki, Kebbi South Senatorial, allayed fears that if the terrorists are not decisively dealt with, they can spread across other zones, given the high capacity weapons and connections they have outside the shores of the country.
He said: “Mr President, I discussed this motion with you yesterday which was jointly sponsored by me, Senator Adamu Aliero and Distinguished Senator Garba Maidoki and it is about the episode of a violent gang of criminals who invaded this country from Mali and Burkina Faso and killed many people from my constituency and other constituencies in Sokoto and Kebbi State.
“The motion is titled “Urgent Need for the Federal Government to Take Measure Against Infiltration of Violent Gang of Criminals known as Lakurawa from entrenching themselves in some North West parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States.
“That Senate is aware that terrorists from Burkina Faso and Mali called Lakurawa have infiltrated the country through Nigeria – Niger border, especially Ilela in Sokoto State and proceeded to Kebbi and are taking communities of Augie and Arewa Local Governments in Kebbi State.
“Senate recalls that these violent terrorists have raided and attacked a village called Mera on November 8, killing more than 20 persons and rustling their livestock worth more than millions of naira
“Senate is aware that the Kebbi State government promptly responded by sending delegates with relief materials to affected communities and assisted families
Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Aminu Waaziri Tambuwal faulted those who think that Lakurawa terrorists are new in the country.
He recalled that his administration had in 2018 alongside the Federal Government mobilised Security agents against and successfully dislodged them but they began to regroup lately.
He said: “I rise to lend my voice in support of this motion as moved by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, and Adamu Aliero.
“When I was Governor of Sokoto State, we encountered this group in Sokoto in 2018 and we mobilized through the FG to dislodge them and it was a well-encouraged operation but was surprised in the media that Lakurawa terrorists are new. That is not correct.
“There is a need for Nigeria to take this matter very seriously because these terrorists are well armed and are highly connected outside the country.
Reacting, the Senate President commended the Nigerian military for their quick response after the November 8 killing of citizens.
He upheld the prayers that relief materials should be provided for victims of the attack, adding that Security agents should not spare efforts in dealing with the criminals.
