By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Birmi
KEBBI: Amid sustained efforts to restore peace to rural communities in Kebbi State, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Abubakar Badaru, has disclosed that the Nigerian military will begin adopting alternative strategies to combat banditry and the growing threat posed by the notorious Lakurawa group.
Speaking during a visit to Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, Badaru acknowledged that the menace of cross-border bandit incursions into Kebbi from neighbouring states remains a serious concern. However, he assured residents that the military, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, has begun a holistic review of the security architecture in the state.
“We are not just doing the usual operations; we are coming in with new tactics and improved intelligence. The goal is to completely dismantle the Lakurawa network and ensure lasting peace in Kebbi,” the minister told reporters after meeting with top military commanders at the Dukku Barracks and Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House.
According to Badaru, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pleased with the progress made in Kebbi so far and is determined to sustain the gains through renewed military commitment. “We are not claiming that insecurity has been eliminated, but the progress is clear. The president sent us here to thank the troops and encourage them to intensify operations,” he said.
He emphasized that the military remains committed to preventing a resurgence of attacks, especially in rural farming communities, where bandits have previously driven residents from their homes and farmlands.
In a show of support for the state government’s security efforts, Badaru praised Governor Idris for what he described as “a total turnaround” in Kebbi’s security landscape. “The governor has worked hard to restore peace. Farmers have returned to their fields, and many communities that were once deserted are now thriving again,” the minister said.
He added that Kebbi’s success story was so notable that he featured Governor Idris in a recent press briefing in Abuja, showcasing him as an example of effective collaboration between state governments and federal security agencies.
The Lakurawa group, a relatively new but deadly faction operating in parts of northwestern Nigeria, has been accused of carrying out coordinated attacks on rural villages and targeting security formations. Authorities believe neutralising the group’s influence in Kebbi is key to securing the wider region.
As security operations intensify in the days ahead, residents of affected communities are hoping the renewed military strategy will finally bring the relief they have long awaited.