Kehinde Fajobi
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has deployed a Special Operations Brigade to Sokoto and Kebbi States to eliminate the Lakurawa Sect, a self-acclaimed jihadist group operating in the region.
In a statement released in Sokoto, the deployment was described as part of efforts to consolidate the gains of Operation Forest Sanity III, code-named Chase Lakurawas Out.
Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 2, Operation Fasan Yamma, addressed the troops on Friday, conveying directives from the Theatre Commander, Major General Oluyinka Soyele.
He tasked the troops with ensuring the complete dismantling of the sect while urging them to prioritise protecting lives and property.
“Nigerians are counting on your ability to flush out the sect and restore peace,” he said.
Ajose emphasised that the Special Operations Brigade was strategically selected and specially trained for the mission.
He noted the significant progress made under precursor and shaping operations by the 8 Division, which targeted sect enclaves in locations like Rumji Dutse, Sarma, Tsauna, and several villages across Illela, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas.
These operations led to the destruction of 22 camps, the neutralisation of several sect members, and the recovery of weapons, including four rifles, 409 rounds of PKT 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 94 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“The deployment of the Special Operations Brigade will serve as an additional force to frustrate the activities of the bandits, thereby restoring normalcy to the affected communities and the Northwest region in general,” Ajose concluded.