A new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas’ has emerged, worsening insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, according to the Defence Headquarters.

Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this on Thursday during a military briefing in Abuja.

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Buba reported that the Lukarawas group, believed to have originated from the Republic of Niger, began operating in Nigeria after the recent coup in Niger disrupted joint security efforts.

With border patrols between Nigerian and Nigerien forces halted, the group made inroads into northern Sokoto and Kebbi States, using rugged border areas between Niger and Mali to establish a foothold.

“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some northwestern states to spread their ideology,” Maj.-Gen. Buba said.

Local communities initially welcomed the group, unaware of its motives, and failed to report their activities to authorities, according to Buba.

The military, however, has intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in an effort to curb the group’s growing influence and protect vulnerable regions.

The Lukarawas group is said to be hiding in remote, under-governed areas, making it difficult for security forces to track and eliminate them.

Despite these challenges, Maj.-Gen. Buba assured that the military is focused on dismantling the group’s presence and restoring stability in affected regions.

In a significant move to address Lagos State’s ongoing energy crisis, the Lagos State Government has issued an open call for bids from independent power producers and energy solution companies to establish gas-fired power plants.

The initiative, unveiled by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) in collaboration with the Office of Public-Private Partnerships (OPPP), is designed to generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity across four dedicated energy hubs in Lagos.

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This ambitious project is part of the Clean Lagos Electricity Market (CLEM) initiative, aimed at enhancing energy security and sustainability within Africa’s largest metropolitan area, with over 20 million residents.

Current electricity distribution in Lagos falls significantly short, with supply often limited to less than 2,000 MW at peak times, despite demand exceeding 6,000 MW.

Closing the Energy Gap

The project, according to MEMR, includes strategically positioned hubs near existing Distribution Companies (DisCos) substations, allowing optimal power distribution.

Each hub is expected to house a gas-fired plant with a minimum capacity of 100 MW per participating company, aiming to boost the state’s energy supply and address the growing needs of Lagos’ industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.

“The Clean Lagos Electricity Market is crucial to bridging the gap between our energy demand and supply.

This project will support the state’s dynamic economic growth and ensure a stable energy future,” a government spokesperson commented.

Strengthening Energy Security and Sustainability

The Lagos State Government emphasized its commitment to long-term energy security through the initiative, which it sees as a step toward reducing the city’s dependence on the national grid and bolstering Lagos’ leadership in sustainable energy solutions.

Each of the four hubs has a target generation capacity of 500 MW, with support available to private-sector investors for project financing, engineering, construction, commissioning, and plant operation.

Additionally, companies involved in the project will be responsible for securing a steady fuel supply, primarily natural gas, to maintain continuous operations.

The minimum generation capacity of 100 MW per plant is non-negotiable, underscoring the state’s dedication to robust infrastructure that meets Lagos’ demanding energy needs.

Encouraging Investment and Innovation

To attract a mix of technical and financial expertise, the state welcomes bids from both individual companies and consortia, with one company required to serve as the lead in consortium bids.

Detailed application guidelines are available at www.ppplagos.lagosstate.gov.ng, with additional inquiries directed to info@ppplagos.ng.

“Our goal is to foster a competitive environment that draws top-tier energy companies to Lagos. We’re confident this project will bring world-class innovation and expertise to our energy sector,” said the MEMR.

What You Need to Know

As Nigeria’s most populous state, Lagos not only accounts for a large share of the country’s electricity consumption but also relies heavily on petrol for power, consuming around 6.6 billion liters annually.

This dependency contributes to an estimated 17.8 million tons of carbon emissions each year, driven largely by the city’s limited and unreliable grid supply.

The planned power plants represent a critical step in meeting Lagos’ energy needs and reducing its reliance on the national grid, while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.

With these initiatives, Lagos State hopes to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and position itself as a leader in sustainable energy development.

With the conclusion of the United States’ 2024 elections, on November 5, which saw the historic re-election of the Republican flagbearer, Donald Trump, former president, Barack Obama has congratulated the winner.

In the congratulatory note, published on his socials late on Wednesday, Obama made it clear that it was about putting the country above personal or party interests.

He had kind words for his Democrat comrades, “Michelle and I could not be prouder of Vice President Harris and Governor Walz – two extraordinary public servants”.

The Afro-American president of the US noted that problems will always be part of humanity, the US being no exception but that these problems are solvable by keeping faith with the constitution, in addition to cooperation, communication between the leaders and the led.

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According to him, “The good news is that these problems are solvable – but only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great.

“In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace – even to people with whom we deeply disagree.”

Obama wrote, “Over the last few weeks and through Election Day, millions of Americans cast their votes – not just for president, but for leaders at every level. Now the results are in, and we want to congratulate President Trump and Senator Vance on their victory.

“This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for, given our profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues. But living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.

“Michelle and I could not be prouder of Vice President Harris and Governor Walz – two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign. And we will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers who poured their heart and soul into electing public servants they truly believed in.

“As I said on the campaign trail, America has been through a lot over the last few years – from a historic pandemic and price hikes resulting from the pandemic, to rapid change and the feeling a lot of folks have that, no matter how hard they work, treading water is the best they can do. Those conditions have created headwinds for democratic incumbents around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune.

“The good news is that these problems are solvable – but only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great.

“In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace – even to people with whom we deeply disagree. That’s how we’ve come this far, and it’s how we’ll keep building a country that is more fair and more just, more equal and more free.”