Lakurawa: Gumi, Shettima differ on routing new insurgent group

The reported emergence of a new terrorist group in the Northwest states of Sokoto and Kebbi, known as Lakurawa, has worsened the insecurity in Nigeria. Although the operation of the group just became public knowledge, in 2018 when it commenced operations in Gongono Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The Jihardist group became more daring a few days ago with an attack on the Mera community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leading to the death of about 15 people.

The new group which is linked with ISIS and operates in the Sahel has imposed taxes and levies on communities in Sokoto State.

They have also set up bases in the affected local government areas while moving from community to community to preach against western civilisation and democratic system of government.

Confirming the existence of Lakurawa, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, said the new Jihardist group was worsening security issues in the Northwest region, adding that the terror group is affiliated with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said: “The emergence of the group is linked to political instability in Mali and Niger, which has fuelled the spread of extremist elements into Nigeria,” adding that “this group is a direct fallout of the political instability in these neighbouring countries.”

Gumi speaks on Lakurawa

Frontline and controversial Islamic scholar and preacher, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi said a fallout among herders led to the emergence of the Lakurwa terror group which comprises mainly foreigners. Gumi cautioned against the use of kinetic force in tackling the new terror group.

He said: “I’m just hearing about this from the media, I don’t have any hint. Dealing with terror is a big task, it’s more than just kinetic; you have to deradicalise people and change their psychic but if you leave boys with guns in the bush with fake knowledge then we are in trouble because they will misuse it.

“From what I read, it’s an infiltration of foreign terrorists coming in to collaborate with the aggrieved herdsmen. There is no need to put much pressure on them (herders) to the extent that they would bring in collaborators.

“When it’s an ordinary herders’ revolt, it’s different from when there is a religious inclination, where there are religious fanatics, it becomes very difficult to approach.

“Once you have people of your country, you don’t give them the chance to be influenced by foreigners, when you start bombarding them instead of engaging in a dialogue; that’s the result of what we are seeing.

“I was in the bush talking to them myself and I found out that with the right programme, we could have won them to our side and not allow foreign terrorists to come into our land.”

The Islamic scholar expressed willingness to dialogue with members of the terror group in an attempt to deradicalize them if the Nigerian government would back such an effort.

He said: “We need a commitment from the government to dialogue with them.

“But if you want to combine the two where one team is dialoguing and the other is attacking, then it won’t work.

“The government should be ready to spend money not on defence but on social rehabilitation. A lot of Nigerians are ready to do that job and I’m in the eye of the storm but I have no option,” he stated.

Prevent Lakurawa from becoming another Boko Haram – Shettima

The National President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Yerima Shettima, charged the Federal Government to spring into action by going all out to defeat the new terror group before it spirals into another Boko Haram.

Shettima also called for collaborative efforts between security agents and communities as a means of crippling their network system. “It takes the government of the day, even though I must commend them, because they are determined to nail the bull by its horn.

“I was made to understand that the acting Chief of Army Staff was in Sokoto yesterday and it’s a clear indication that the government is out to defeat this new group.

“As such, they need our support because they can’t do it alone, oftentimes, we refer to issues like this as if it’s the problem of a section of the country or a personal problem but we must see it as our collective problem, as such, all hands must be on deck.

“The security forces without the cooperation of the people within can’t get it right, they need intelligence gathering within the communities to get it right, they need our prayer and support to do it right because they are also human.

“The effort by the government of the day will do better than the previous one because we are seeing the result.

“Don’t forget that a few months ago, we had issues of kidnapping from bandits but today the issue is going down and another group is coming up – the likes of Turji are no longer news due to the effort of the security forces.

“The Minister of State for Defence, Matwalle had done tremendously and we are calling on him to go back and boost the morale of the security men on the ground.

“With boosting the morale of the men on the ground and the support of the government this new group would fizzle out.”

Shettima also suggested the government should consider the use of kinetic approach in urgently tackling Lakuwara from expanding.

“There is no reason to sit down and talk with anybody at this critical period because I think the kinetic approach should be applied.

“The kinetic approach has to be applied because this can’t go on. We are a country that is governed by law, people can’t come from another place and run us down while the government will be looking for a way.

“Who are you going to engage or discuss with? Is it those people who come from the West? No, I don’t believe so.

“Definitely, this is where the community comes into play, call it community policing or vigilante – they need to work together to complement the efforts of the security forces because all hands must be on deck.

“Even those people who are not vigilantes but are within the villages must be able to summon the courage to defend themselves.

“The government should also be encouraged to do better because sharing intelligence will help the security forces to do better,” he added.