Ex-DSS operative Seyi Adetayo has called for urgent action against the emerging terrorist group Lakurawa, warning that Nigeria must recognize its current situation as one of wartime urgency. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Sunrise Daily* program, Adetayo compared Lakurawa to well-known terrorist groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram, which have wreaked havoc in Nigeria’s Northeast, urging that Nigeria prioritize military and intelligence strategies to combat this new threat.
Adetayo stated, “Lakurawa will soon be a major name in terror discussions unless Nigeria declares a state of war and scales up our defenses.” In a November briefing, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defense Media Operations, confirmed that troops are actively engaged against Lakurawa militants in Northwestern states, including Sokoto and Kebbi. According to Buba, Lakurawa has ties to Sahel-based terrorist groups, especially from Mali and Niger, who have migrated into Nigeria amid regional instability.
Adetayo warned that Nigeria’s military needs substantial reinforcements. “We need mass recruitment into the army as our current forces are stretched thin. If we don’t act, more young men will be drawn into these groups, making Nigeria a country where safe movement becomes impossible.”
Retired military strategist Maj. Gen. Pat Akem, however, downplayed the need for a full war declaration. “While Lakurawa is a serious threat, panic is unnecessary,” he said, noting that President Bola Tinubu has already implemented countermeasures. “The president has ordered the armed forces to deal firmly with these bandits, without escalating to a war declaration.” Akem emphasized the need to focus on strengthening the military’s capabilities, cautioning against overextending them in roles better suited for police forces.
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