The Senate has issued a stark warning about the infiltration of international terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso, operating under the group Lakurawa, into the north-western states of Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kaduna, as well as Niger State in the north-central region.
The alarming revelation, presented during a Senate plenary session, underscores the growing security challenges confronting the nation.
This development comes shortly after similar warnings from the House of Representatives, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and notable northern leaders, including traditional rulers, who have voiced concerns over increasing insecurity in the region.
In response, the Senate has urged the Nigerian military to establish early warning systems and intensify their presence in affected communities to prevent the terror group’s activities from spreading further.
Legislators also called for collaborative efforts between the military, local communities, and other security agencies.
They tasked the federal government with deploying an assessment team to evaluate the damages caused by the insurgents and to identify immediate relief needs for affected families.
Senators observed a one-minute silence in honour of those killed in recent attacks, particularly in Kebbi State, where 17 individuals were brutally murdered, and homes were razed in a devastating raid two weeks ago.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), the sponsor of the motion titled “Urgent Need for the Federal Government to Take Stringent Measures Against Lakurawa Terrorists,” revealed that the group had crossed into Nigeria via the Illela, Tangaza, and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.
The terrorists subsequently launched attacks on Kebbi’s Augie and Arewa LGAs, resulting in the loss of over 20 lives and the theft of livestock valued at hundreds of millions of naira.
Abdullahi praised the swift response of the military, which dislodged the terrorists and recovered stolen livestock.
However, he cautioned that the group’s growing influence posed a significant threat, warning that a lack of decisive action could allow them to establish a foothold across northern Nigeria.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described the infiltration as a dire international security concern, stating: “These foreigners have invaded the country, and we must act quickly to stop them.”
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South) recounted similar incursions in 2018 during his tenure as governor of Sokoto State, urging the federal government to treat the threat with utmost seriousness.
Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) stressed the need to revisit previous Senate resolutions on terrorism, lamenting that past recommendations had not been adequately implemented.
“We discussed extensively in the 8th and 9th Senates on how to stem terrorism and banditry. It’s time to ensure those resolutions are put into action,” he said.
The Senate’s call to action underscores the urgency of tackling the escalating security crisis, which threatens not only the affected states but the entire nation’s stability.
