The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured Nigerians that the Lukarawa terror group, which has been a significant security threat in various parts of the country, will soon be dismantled.
In a statement to journalists on Monday after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, General Oluyede expressed confidence in Nigeria’s enhanced efforts to combat the group, particularly through cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries. He explained that operations targeting Lukarawa have intensified, with insurgents fleeing into neighboring Niger Republic. However, with Niger’s increasing cooperation, he anticipates that the terror group will soon be eradicated.
“We are hitting them hard at the Nigerian end, and once you hit them hard here, they tend to flee to the Niger Republic. Now that Niger Republic is coming on board, that means very soon, Lukarawa will be a thing of the past,” Oluyede stated.
Emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration, the COAS noted that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism requires close cooperation with its neighbors, who also face similar security challenges. “We need to collaborate with neighboring countries because these issues affect them too. By working together, we can address the threat more effectively,” he said.
General Oluyede, who recently assumed office, also took the opportunity to brief President Tinubu on his plans to enhance Nigeria’s security landscape. “I am here to reassure Mr. President that I will do my best to make Nigeria better in terms of security,” he affirmed. “I’m going to explore doing this maybe in a different way and achieve results that will significantly improve our security situation.”
Reflecting on his recent visits to army formations in the northwest and northeast, Oluyede underscored his commitment to motivating the troops under his command. “I spoke with my officers and soldiers to make them realize the need to end all forms of insecurity in Nigeria. I made it clear that I intend to do things differently and expect better results going forward,” he concluded.
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