Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has announced that the Lakurawa terror group has been driven out of Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Gusau, Zamfara State, Matawalle refuted claims by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, that the group was behind recent deadly explosions in the area.
Matawalle clarified that the Lakurawa group, originally formed as a self-defence militia in Sokoto State around 2016 or 2017, had transformed into a radical faction over time, imposing strict religious rules and seizing control of local communities.
However, he stated that the group no longer operates within Nigeria.
“I want to categorically state that there are no Lakurawa members in any part of the country, including Zamfara and Kebbi,” Matawalle said.
He further explained that the group, which originated from Mali, was forced out of Nigeria by the military and has since returned to its home country.
The Defence Minister praised the Nigerian military for decisively dealing with the bandits, emphasizing their successful efforts to rid the country of Lakurawa’s presence.
“The military forced them to retreat to Mali, and they no longer pose a threat to Nigeria,” he reiterated.
Matawalle also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to combating terrorism and implementing developmental policies.
He called on Nigerians to support the President’s vision for a “new Nigeria.”
Highlighting ongoing initiatives, the Minister pointed to major projects such as the construction of the Zaria-Sokoto and Illela-Badagry roads as well as the lifting of the ban on mining, which he said would stimulate economic growth in the North.
