The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has raised alarms about the growing activities of the Lukarawa terror group, which has started recruiting to strengthen its forces.
The DHQ confirmed that the military is actively collaborating with state authorities and other security agencies to prevent the group’s expansion, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi states, where it has been operating.
Lukarawa, which has had a presence in northern Nigeria for several years, recently intensified its recruitment drive, particularly targeting local youth through sermons and welfare incentives.
The group is also exploiting social media platforms to spread their message.
Despite these efforts, the DHQ remains vigilant, working alongside other agencies to halt the group’s influence.
A former DSS director, Mike Ejiofor, clarified that while the group has been active since 2018, its size is not currently a major national security threat.
However, he urged for continued surveillance and community cooperation to prevent further escalation.
Security expert Timothy Avele echoed this sentiment, revealing that the group’s operations, such as collecting levies and influencing local governance in Kebbi, highlight gaps in intelligence operations.
