Senate Raises Alarm As Terrorists From Mali, Burkina Faso Invade Nigerian States

The Senate has sounded the alarm over the invasion of Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and other North West states, as well as Niger State in the North Central, by terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso known as Lakurawa.

Noting that the trend now has an international dimension, the Senate urged the Nigerian Military to set up early warning mechanisms to forestall further incursions as well as maintain their presence and vigilance in the affected communities.

This is just as it commended the Nigerian military for their prompt response to the insurgence.

The Upper Chamber has 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 one-minute silence in honour of the deceased community members killed in the wake of the terrorist incursion.

Resolutions of the Senate on Monday were sequel to a motion titled, “Urgent need for the Federal Government to stringent measures to stop the infiltration of a group of violent terrorists known as Lakurawa from entrenching themselves in some North Western parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States.”

It was sponsored by former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, PDP, Kebbi North and co- sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero, PDP, Kebbi Central and Garba Musa Maidoki, PDP, Kebbi South.

In his presentation, Senator Abdullahi said, that “the Senate: 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 are from there, 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.”

According to him, the Senate is “Aware that 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 Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi North Central) and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), along with some Members of the House of Representatives, from Kebbi state, have been to those arears, 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 secured the release of herds of cattle and other livestock that were stolen by the terrorists.”

In his contribution, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North said that the invasion of the terrorists is a new dimension that the Senate must help nip in the bud, adding, “these foreigners have Invaded the country.”

On his part, former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, PDP, Sokoto South who explained that this was not the first time this group is invading Nigeria, said that in 2018 as governor of Sokoto State, they Invaded where he had to cry to the Federal government for intervention and security agencies came to the rescue of the state.

Tambuwal said, “we need to nip the situation in the bud, they have international connection, heavily armed with very dangerous weapons, the federal government should take the matter very seriously.”

In his contribution, Senator 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 now attacking Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, 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 send to the Presidency for immediate action.