Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that some individuals and groups, including civilians and military personnel, are profiting from the ongoing insurgency in the region.
Speaking as a guest on Channels TV on Sunday night, Zulum stated that these beneficiaries extend beyond Borno and are spread across the country.

He disclosed that informants within local communities and even military officers supplying ammunition to insurgents have been uncovered, complicating efforts to restore peace.
“Many times, informants were arrested within the community, and military personnel were caught trying to provide ammunition to the insurgents,” Zulum said.

The Governor also highlighted the role of porous borders, particularly around Lake Chad and the Sambisa forest, in creating safe havens for terrorists.
He noted foreign involvement as another factor fueling the prolonged crisis.

“Some people, across various strata, do not want to see the end of this crisis because they benefit from it,” Zulum remarked, emphasizing the complexity of resolving the insurgency due to these hidden interests.

Zulum’s candid revelations underscore the challenges facing counter-insurgency efforts in Borno, where both internal and external factors continue to fuel the decade-long conflict.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the worsening security situation in Nigeria. In a heartfelt statement, Obi lamented the unrelenting wave of terror attacks sweeping through the nation, which continue to claim lives, destroy critical infrastructure, and disrupt businesses.
While writing on his X Handle on Thursday, Obi highlighted the recent killing of about 30 people in separate terrorist attacks on communities in two Local Government Areas of Benue State.
He also condemned the attack on the motorcycle showroom of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing in Nnewi, Anambra State, where three staff members were abducted.

Reflecting on the growing insecurity, Obi asked a question that weighs heavily on the minds of many Nigerians: “Where are we headed as a nation with this level of insecurity?” He noted with concern that these attacks are occurring during a period of severe economic hardship, compounding the suffering of Nigerians.

Obi emphasized the economic impact of insecurity, pointing out that while foreign investors are leaving Nigeria due to safety concerns, local investors face daily threats to their businesses.
He described the current situation as “frightening” and warned that the nation could be “consumed” if decisive action is not taken to end the violence.

He extended his condolences to the victims in Benue and sympathized with Chief Innoson Chukwuma, the founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, over the attack on his facility. He also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the kidnapped workers.

“This mindless waste of human lives and attacks on businesses must stop,” Obi declared. “We must end this monster of insecurity before it ends us.”

His statement is a call to action for both the government and citizens to unite in the fight against terrorism and ensure the protection of lives, businesses, and national stability.

***Operates Across 10 Local Government Areas

The newly identified terror group, Lukarawa, has reportedly set up camps across 10 local government areas in Sokoto and Bauchi states, with a growing influence and activities in the region.
Although their presence was only recently confirmed to the public, the group is believed to have been planning their operations for years, with camps established near the Nigeria-Niger border before expanding into Nigerian territories.

According to local sources, Lukarawa initially operated in remote areas bordering Nigeria and Niger, including villages like Gwanaguano and Mulawa.
The group is known to move frequently, setting up temporary camps in communities like Tangaza and Gudu in Sokoto State, which they’ve named “Darul Islam.”
The group’s members, estimated to be between 18 and 50 years old, use Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic in their activities.
Their leaders, reportedly including Abu Khadijah, Abdulrahaman (Idi), and Musa Walia, enforce “taxes” on livestock in local communities, collecting a percentage of cattle from residents in Gudu, Tangaza, and Illela.

Dr. Murtala Rufa’i, a researcher at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, revealed that Lukarawa has been operating with the goal of establishing a caliphate.
The group’s constant movement, primarily on motorcycles, makes it challenging for security forces to locate them.
Rufa’i estimates that the group has between 1,500 and 1,800 followers, including clerics and youths in Tangaza and Gudu, the ancestral home of Lukarawa’s leaders.

The group has been active in Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, and other LGAs in Sokoto State and even extends into parts of Kebbi State. Lukarawa has also attracted followers by providing locals with cash, agricultural support, and pumping machines, appealing to those struggling with poverty.

Although security agencies dislodged the group around 2020, they reportedly regrouped in late 2023. The group is said to have origins linked to Jama’atu Muslimina, a Sahelian terror network, and its leader, Ahmadu Kofa, is believed to be Malian-based, with ancestral ties to the Kebbi region in Nigeria.

Residents in affected areas are reluctant to report the group due to fear, as Lukarawa has reportedly warned locals against sharing information, claiming they monitor communities with drones. One resident in Tangaza LGA, identified as Mainasara, recounted the recent abduction and killing of a youth suspected of cooperating with security forces.

Government Response

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre has assessed Lukarawa’s active fighters to be around 150, describing the group as “insignificant” but noting its recruitment efforts to expand its influence. Speaking to journalists, Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the Centre, assured that counter-terrorism efforts are underway and downplayed the threat posed by Lukarawa, asserting that the group would soon be neutralized.