Upset by the invasion of terrorists known as Lakurawa into Northern Nigeria from Mali and Burkina Faso, the Senate has urged the Nigerian military to establish early warning systems, a strong presence, and vigilance in the affected communities.
The affected states include Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and other Northwest states, as well as Niger State in the North Central region.
This is just as it commended the Nigerian military for their prompt response to the insurgence.
The Upper Chamber directed the military to work with the communities and other security agencies while urging the federal government to send an assessment team to the affected areas to estimate the extent of damages and to determine the immediate relief needs of the affected families.
The Senate observed a minute silence in honour of those killed in the wake of the terrorists’ incursion.
The resolutions of the Senate on Monday were a sequel to a motion titled, “Urgent need for the Federal Government to take stringent measures to stop the infiltration of a group of violent terrorists known as Lakurawa from entrenching themselves in some northwestern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States.”
It was sponsored by a former Senate Leader, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP-Kebbi North), and co-sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP Kebbi Central) and Garba Musa Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South).
Abdullahi said: “The Senate is aware that a group of terrorists from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, known as Lakurawa, has infiltrated the country through the Nigeria-Niger border, at Illela, Tangaza, and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto, and from there, are attacking communities in Augie and Arewa LGAs in Kebbi State.
“Recall that this violent gang of terrorists had raided and dispossessed these communities prior to the large-scale invasion of Mera, a village in Augie Local Government, on November 8, 2024, killing more than 20 people and fleeing with their livestock, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.
“The Senate is aware that the Kebbi State Government promptly responded by sending a delegation with relief materials to the affected villages and assistance to the families of the deceased.
“Aware that Sen. Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi North Central) and Sen. Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), along with some members of the House of Representatives from Kebbi state, have been to those areas to commiserate with victims of the attacks on behalf of the National Assembly.
“Aware that if timely, adequate, and decisive measures are not taken, this group can spread its reign of terror to other Northern parts of the country and beyond.
“Notes the prompt response of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, who dispatched a well-armed military response squad that was able to dislodge the terrorists and secure the release of herds of cattle and other livestock that were stolen by the terrorists.”
In his contribution, Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), said the invasion of the terrorists is a new dimension that the Senate must help nip in the bud.
Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State, recalled that the Lakurawa group’s invasion is not unprecedented, as they had previously infiltrated Sokoto State in 2018, prompting him to seek federal intervention, which successfully repelled the threat.
Tambuwal said: “We need to nip the situation in the bud; they have international connections and are heavily armed with very dangerous weapons. The federal government should take the matter very seriously.”
In his contribution, Sen. Aliero said: “These terrorists are well armed with highly sophisticated weapons. This is a very serious matter on national security; they control the whole of Northern Mali and are now attacking Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, and others. The time to act is now; we have to take action on how to tame terrorism.”
He said that the Senate should revisit past resolutions on terrorism and forward them to the Presidency for immediate action.
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