Lukarawa Terrorists: Niger Assembly Seeks Military Forward Operation Base

Niger State House of Assembly has sought for the deployment of military personnel and other security agencies to communities in Mashegu local government area of the state as over 12 communities come under incessant attacks by suspected Lukarawa terrorists.

This followed the motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Mashegu Constituency, Hon. Alhassan Isah, calling on the Executive arm of government to urgently take steps in that direction

While presenting the motion during plenary, Alhassan Isah informed the House that several communities in Mashegu council had been subjected to persistent attacks by terrorists, particularly members of the Lakurawa group and bandits.

He listed the communities under attacks as Faje, Kizhi, Gwaji, Mulea, Kulho, Mazakuka, Likoro, Baba Rami, Runbun-Giwa, Ibbi, Zugurma and Kanti, noting that the attacks had continued on daily basis, thereby threatening the people and their means of livelihoods.

The lawmaker warned that if immediate security intervention was not provided through the deployment of military personnel and other security agencies, the entire Mashegu council would soon be overrun by terrorists.

After extensive deliberations, the House adopted the prayers of the motion and called on the Executive arm of the government to urgently facilitate the deployment of military personnel and other security agencies to the affected communities.

The Speaker, Rt.Hon.Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, commended Isah for bringing the matter before the House and also recognised the sustained efforts of the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

He disclosed that Governor Bago had consistently involved him in security meetings and had been vigorously pursuing the establishment of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in two strategic locations within Zone C, particularly in Mailaka under Mariga local government area and Mashegu local government area.

He further explained that government and security authorities had agreed to establish one of the Forward Operating Bases in Baba Rami, adding that the military had already concluded arrangements to move into the community.