The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that Nigeria is now free of the Lakurawa terror group, stating that the sect has been completely driven out of the country.
Matawalle made this known on Sunday while addressing journalists at his residence in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
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He dismissed claims made by the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, who alleged that Lakurawa terrorists were responsible for recent explosive attacks in the state.
“I want to make it clear that we have no Lakurawa in any part of the country, not even in Zamfara or Kebbi State,” Matawalle asserted.
The Lakurawa group, which emerged around 2016 or 2017 in Sokoto State, initially began as a self-defence militia combating banditry but later transformed into a radical faction imposing strict religious laws on local communities. Their activities eventually spread into Kebbi State, where they were linked to violent attacks, including a deadly raid in November 2024 in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area.
According to the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Lakurawa was identified as a terrorist group with affiliations to extremist elements from Mali and Niger, further worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s northwestern region.
However, Matawalle clarified that the group originated from Mali and had been forced to retreat by the Nigerian military. “They were not even in Kebbi State as earlier reported by the media,” he added.
The Minister praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in combating terrorism and called on Nigerians to support the administration’s initiatives.
“I want to make it clear that the construction of the Zaria-Sokoto Road and the Illela-Badagry Road is one of the projects currently being carried out by the Tinubu administration,” Matawalle said. “The lifting of the ban on mining is another effort by Mr. President to develop the North.”
He dismissed criticisms suggesting that President Tinubu is working against the North, describing such claims as baseless.
“I don’t know why some people are criticising him and calling him anti-North. Forget about the negative propaganda of some people who are not wishing his administration well because of political differences,” Matawalle concluded.
