The Senate on Wednesday called on the Nigerian military to collaborate with local communities to establish early warning systems aimed at detecting and preventing future attacks by the Lakurawa terrorist group.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to deploy an assessment team to affected areas in Sokoto and Kebbi states to evaluate damages and provide immediate relief to displaced families.
It further recommended that the military maintain its presence in the affected regions to prevent the group from regrouping or expanding operations.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), highlighting the infiltration of the Lakurawa group, identified as terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso, through the Nigeria-Niger border.
Abdullahi reported that the group recently attacked Mera village in Kebbi State on November 8, killing 20 soldiers and rustling livestock worth millions of naira.
In his motion, Abdullahi warned of the risk of Lakurawa spreading to other parts of the country, citing their possession of high-capacity weapons and international connections.
He said, “If these terrorists are not decisively dealt with, they can spread across other zones.”
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South) recalled a similar incursion during his tenure as governor of Sokoto State in 2018 when the Lakurawa group was dislodged in a joint operation with federal security forces.
Tambuwal noted that the current resurgence of the group posed a serious threat to national security, adding, “These terrorists are well-armed and highly connected outside the country.”
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, expressed solidarity with the people of Kebbi State, emphasising the urgency of addressing the threat.
He likened the group’s incursion to the early stages of Boko Haram, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to further devastation.
“This is a new dimension to the insecurity challenges in the region. Our security agencies are working hard but need additional support to address this evolving threat,” he said.
The Senate President commended the military for their swift response to the November 8 attack and supported the motion’s call for relief materials for victims.
He stressed the need for intensified military efforts to eradicate the group, emphasising that “security agents must not spare any effort in dealing with these criminals.”
The Senate unanimously adopted the motion, underscoring the need for a coordinated effort between the military, local communities, and government agencies to safeguard affected regions from further incursions.