Sokoto: Resident Raises Alarm As Lakurawa Terrorists Reportedly Move To Retake Waria Forest

Fear has gripped border communities in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State over fresh moves by Lakurawa terrorists to reoccupy Waria Forest, barely two weeks after the military bombed and overran their enclaves.

A prominent youth leader in Tangaza, Malam Safullahi Bello on Friday raised the alarm, saying remnants of the terror group have been sighted regrouping around settlements fringing the forest.

Bello, who spoke exclusively with LEADERSHIP, said residents are living in fear that the Sahelian jihadist group is perfecting plans to reclaim the forest corridor.

“The residents around the forest area are panicking. This forest was overtaken by troops recently. Now, Lakurawa terrorists are attempting to regroup in Waria Forest. If troops relax, they will return stronger,” Bello warned.

He called on the Federal Government and the military high command to establish a permanent Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Waria Forest to forestall re-occupation.

The alarm is coming at a time Sokoto State is preparing for a major political activity, with security already a top campaign issue.

When contacted, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, dismissed fears of a terrorist comeback, insisting troops have not vacated the forest.

“A unit of soldiers was stationed at Waria Forest and it is still there. We have not withdrawn. Our mandate is to deny them any breathing space,” Osoba told LEADERSHIP.

Waria Forest is not just any forest. It is the headquarters of the dreaded Lakurawa group – a heavily armed jihadist cell that infiltrated Sokoto from Niger and Mali axis and has since carved out enclaves in Tangaza, Gudu, Illela and Augie local government areas, as well as parts of Augie in Kebbi State.

LEADERSHIP checks show that the North-West currently harbours at least 120 major bandit and terrorist camps. Over 100 of them are in Zamfara forests – Shinkafi/Zurmi forest (Bello Turji’s stronghold), Sububu Forest in Maradun (Dogo Gide) and Dansadau axis, with deadly satellite camps spilling into Sokoto East – Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo – and the Tangaza/Gudu axis under Lakurawa control.

Before the October 15, 2026, Operation FANSAN YAMMA bombardment that sacked their camps, Lakurawa had imposed levies, rustled cattle and sacked farming communities in Tangaza and Gudu. In June 2026 alone, 26 communities in Sabon Birni LGA were reportedly ordered to pay millions in levies, while farmers in Dansadau abandoned over 300 hectares of farmlands after a N50 million levy threat.

The GOC 8 Division, Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, had disclosed that troops rescued 1,023 kidnap victims, recovered 189 AK-47 rifles, 2,132 rounds of ammunition and 305 motorcycles in sustained operations.

Lt. Col. Osoba, however, assured that the Army would not allow a resurgence.

“We will not allow them to regroup. Operation FANSAN YAMMA is ongoing and we are dominating the general area. Residents should go about their lawful activities,” he assured.

But for residents of Tangaza, the assurance will only count if the guns remain in Waria Forest.