Founder of the Community Development and Rights Advocacy Foundation, Steven Kefas, has alleged that about three trailer-loads of Lakurawa fighters entered Sokoto State from the Sahel region through Niger in August last year without any intervention from authorities.
Kefas made the claim on Thursday while responding to questions on Channels Television, warning that the development highlights a worsening security situation fueled by kidnapping and ransom payments.
According to him, funds generated from ransom are routinely used by terrorist groups to procure weapons, enabling them to expand their operations across the country.
He said a close associate who spent about four months in captivity before being released in October last year revealed that arms suppliers often arrive at terrorist camps on the same day ransom payments are made.
“The very day ransom is paid, arms suppliers also come into the camp, and the ransom money is immediately used to pay for weapons,” Kefas said, adding that kidnapping has effectively become a fundraising strategy for terrorism.
Kefas warned that the trend suggests there may be no immediate end to insecurity unless urgent and decisive action is taken.
He further alleged that foreign fighters continue to enter Nigeria from countries such as Mali and Niger, while ransom payments provide a steady flow of funds for weapons acquisition.
According to him, the growing strength of these groups has contributed to the spread of insecurity to states previously considered relatively safe, including Kwara and Kogi.
Kefas also raised concerns about what he described as targeted attacks and alleged land occupation in parts of Kaduna State, particularly Kajuru Local Government Area.
He cited the abduction of about 177 worshippers from churches on a Sunday, as well as earlier attacks in which people were killed during church services.
He claimed that nearly 40 communities in Kajuru LGA have been displaced, with some reportedly occupied by terrorists, describing the situation as complex and poorly handled by the government.
“It is a complex issue that the government is not really handling properly,” Kefas said, warning that the continued flow of fighters, weapons and ransom funds poses a serious threat to national security.