Kebbi: Troops kill five terrorists during attempted ambush

Troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army have thwarted a deadly ambush on the convoy of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Bemgha Koughna, killing five suspected Lakurawa terrorists and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

The incident occurred near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State as the GOC, who also serves as Commander, Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was on his way to visit frontline troops deployed in the state.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the convoy was said to have come under sudden and heavy gunfire while navigating a forested and volatile stretch of the area.

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“The troops responded swiftly and decisively, overpowering the attackers with superior firepower. Five terrorists were neutralized, and the ambush was successfully repelled,” the statement said.

The Army noted that the attempted attack was part of ongoing efforts by the Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) to undermine security operations in the North West, but assured that the military remains resolute.

Following the exchange of fire, troops conducted a clearance operation around the ambush site, recovering one OJC gun, one PKT gun, two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, a bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, two mobile phones, five motorcycles and a camel bag containing ₦840,000 believed to be logistics funds.

Military authorities described the recovery as a significant blow to the terrorist network’s operational capacity.

“The operation demonstrates the unwavering commitment of 8 Division Nigerian Army to safeguard lives and property and to sustain pressure on terrorist elements across the North West,” the statement added.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA is a joint security initiative targeting banditry and terrorism in Kebbi and other North West states. In recent months, troops have intensified offensives in forest corridors and border communities long plagued by attacks attributed to the Lakurawa group.

Security experts say the failed ambush reflects increasing pressure on insurgent networks as the military expands its presence and disrupts their supply lines in the region.