President Tinubu Vows to Eliminate ‘Lukarawas’ Terrorist Group and Highlights Economic Progress

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to take decisive measures to eliminate the “Lukarawas” terrorist group from Nigeria, stressing that his administration will not allow their activities within the country. The group recently emerged in Nigeria’s northwest, taking advantage of the instability caused by the recent coup in Niger, which disrupted joint military efforts between Nigeria and Niger.

At the 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, declared, “The Lukarawas will be flushed out of Nigeria, and we’ll put critics to shame.” He also noted that Boko Haram is retreating to neighboring countries as Nigeria becomes increasingly hostile to their operations.

The coup in Niger weakened military defenses, enabling militants from Niger and Mali to cross into Nigerian states like Sokoto and Kebbi, worsening local security challenges. Despite these new threats, Tinubu expressed confidence that the situation was being managed effectively.

Highlighting achievements since taking office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu pointed to improvements such as increased crude oil production in the Niger Delta, now reaching 1.8 million barrels per day, and fiscal reforms at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He emphasized that these efforts have prevented financial mismanagement at the CBN.

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Reiterating his commitment to economic growth, Tinubu said, “We’ve built upon existing foundations, introducing necessary reforms to adapt to evolving economic realities.” He praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for aligning with his vision and contributing to revenue growth, which supports key national development initiatives. Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to integrating into global value chains and strengthening its status as a reliable trade partner, underlining the government’s dedication to sustainable economic and trade reforms.