ACF Urges Action As New Terror Group Launches Attacks In Kebbi<\/p>\n
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the security agencies to take swift and decisive action to eliminate Lakurawa, a foreign armed group, before it gains a foothold in the North West and other parts of the country.<\/p>\n
Lakurawa has been responsible for recent violence in the North West, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi states.<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s activities have worsened regional security concerns, with a recent attack in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, claiming 15 lives.<\/p>\n
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Residents said the armed group struck as they were preparing for Jumaat prayers on Friday afternoon, making off with at least one hundred cattle.<\/p>\n
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ACF National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur A. Muhammad-Baba, in a statement on Sunday, warned against the passive response that allowed groups like Boko Haram to grow unchecked.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe emergence of this group is both dangerous and alarming, indicating a further escalation in the devastating insecurity affecting the North West, now considered Nigeria\u2019s epicentre of terrorism.<\/p>\n
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\u201cLakurawa\u2019s rise coincides with increased efforts by the Nigerian military to combat banditry in the region, posing a significant national security threat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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The forum called on the military to enhance intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation under the Office of the National Security Advisor.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCommunity vigilance and involvement of local leaders, hunters, and vigilante groups to support security forces as well as early warning and response training for border communities will go a long way to aid in detecting threats,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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ACF said the emergence of the Lakurawa terror group necessitated the need for a comprehensive review of Nigeria\u2019s national security strategies and tactics, as well as stronger collaboration through the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).<\/p>\n
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The forum said the Niger Republic must be persuaded to return to participate in the endeavour.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe visit to the Niger Republic earlier in the year by Nigeria\u2019s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, should be utilised as a fulcrum for renewed cross-border international efforts to deal with terrorists.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe federal government, state and local authorities should also leverage on the close complex historic socio-cultural, economic and political ties with Nigeria\u2019s neighbours with which to confront the mutual existential security threats that terror groups pose to all,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ACF Urges Action As New Terror Group Launches Attacks In Kebbi The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the security agencies to take swift and decisive action to eliminate Lakurawa, a foreign armed group, before it gains a foothold in the North West and other parts of the country. Lakurawa has been responsible for recent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":145395,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,18],"tags":[113,951,425,488],"class_list":{"0":"post-145394","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-news","9":"tag-kebbi","10":"tag-lakurawa","11":"tag-security","12":"tag-sokoto"},"yoast_head":"\n