KEY POINTS
- CDS deploys special brigade to combat Lakurawa Sect in Sokoto and Kebbi.
- 22 terrorist camps destroyed, weapons and ammunition recovered.
- Military vows to restore peace in the affected communities.
In order to combat insecurity in northwest Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has deployed a Special Operations Brigade to Sokoto and Kebbi States. The deployment is part of efforts to eradicate the Lakurawa Sect, a self-proclaimed jihadist group terrorizing the region.
The operation, code-named “Chase Lakurawas Out,” is a continuation of the military’s Operation Forest Sanity III initiative. It aims to consolidate earlier successes recorded in dismantling terrorist strongholds.
Speaking to troops during the deployment, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 2, Operation Fasan Yamma, emphasized the importance of the mission.
According to Vanguard, he conveyed the directives of the Theatre Commander, Major General Oluyinka Soyele, urging troops to ensure the complete dismantling of the sect in both states.
Brigadier General Ajose also reminded the troops to follow the rules of engagement and protect the lives and property of innocent citizens.
He expressed confidence in the training and professionalism of the Special Operations Brigade, saying, “Nigerians are counting on your ability to flush out the sect and restore peace.”
Strategic operations to reclaim affected communities
The deployment of the Special Operations Brigade builds on the success of previous precursor and shaping operations carried out under Operation Fasan Yamma.
The Nigerian Army targeted key enclaves and hideouts used by the Lakurawa Sect in forests and villages across Sokoto and Kebbi.
According to Brigadier General Ajose, the operations have already yielded positive results. Military forces destroyed 22 terrorist camps, neutralized several sect members, and seized an array of weapons and ammunition.
Key areas targeted in these operations include Rumji Dutse, Sarma, Tsauna, Bauni, Malgatawa, Gargao, Magara, Kaideji, Nakuru, Sama, Sanyinna, Kadidda, Kolo, and Dancha Villages across Illela, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas.
Among the recovered items were four rifles, 409 rounds of PKT 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 94 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. These operations mark a significant step in the ongoing effort to restore stability and peace in the Northwest region.
“The deployment of the Special Operations Brigade will serve as an additional force to frustrate the activities of the bandits, thereby restoring normalcy to the affected communities and the Northwest region in general,” Brigadier General Ajose stated.
The Special Operations Brigade is designed to be a highly skilled and agile force, specially trained to handle counter-insurgency operations.
Military vows to end Lakurawa Sect’s reign of terror
The deployment of the Special Operations Brigade highlights the Nigerian military’s renewed resolve to tackle the Lakurawa Sect’s activities. However, the military aims to rid the northwest of terror cells and secure peace for local communities.
Also, with the additional resources and manpower, the military is expected to intensify its offensive against the Lakurawa Sect.
Furthermore, the Special Operations Brigade has undergone rigorous training and is equipped to handle the demands of this challenging mission.
By deploying the brigade, the Nigerian Army is sending a clear message to terrorist groups that their activities will no longer be tolerated. Local communities in Sokoto and Kebbi are hopeful that the deployment will bring lasting peace to the region.
