The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured Nigerians that the Lukarawa terror group, which has been causing unrest in parts of the country, will soon be defeated.
Speaking to journalists on Monday following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, General Oluyede expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts, particularly in collaboration with neighboring countries, to combat cross-border insurgency.
“We are hitting them hard at the Nigerian end, and once you hit them hard here, they tend to flee to the Niger Republic. Now that Niger Republic is coming on board, that means very soon, Lukarawa will be a thing of the past,” Oluyede stated.
He also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the growing terrorist threat, noting that both Nigeria and its neighbors are united in the effort to tackle terrorism. “We need to collaborate with neighboring countries because these issues affect them too. By working together, we can address the threat more effectively,” he added.
The visit provided General Oluyede an opportunity to brief President Tinubu on his strategic plans for enhancing national security following his recent appointment as COAS. “I am here to reassure Mr. President that I will do my best to make Nigeria better in terms of security,” Oluyede affirmed. “I’m going to explore doing this maybe in a different way and achieve results that will significantly improve our security situation.”
Reflecting on his recent visits to army formations in the northwest and northeast, the Army Chief underscored his commitment to motivating his troops. “I spoke with my officers and soldiers to make them realize the need to end all forms of insecurity in Nigeria. I made it clear that I intend to do things differently and expect better results going forward,” he concluded.
