Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division have neutralised five suspected Lakurawa terrorists while foiling an ambush on the convoy of General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General Bemgha Koughna in Kebbi State.
The attack took place near Mayama Hill as the GOC, who also commands Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was traveling to inspect frontline troops deployed in the area.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the convoy came under heavy gunfire while passing through a forested area. Troops responded with superior firepower, killing five of the attackers and foiling the ambush.
According to the statement, troops responded with superior firepower, killing five of the attackers and foiling the ambush.
“In a bold and decisive response, the GOC and his troops overwhelmed the attackers, neutralising five terrorists and successfully repelling the ambush,” the statement read. “The swift counter-action not only secured the convoy but also thwarted what authorities described as a calculated attempt to destabilise security operations in the area.”
Following the exchange, soldiers conducted a clearance operation around the scene and recovered 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 N840,000 suspected to be logistics funds.
The army said the recovery would weaken the operational capacity of the terrorist group.
It added that troops remain committed to ongoing operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a joint security initiative targeting banditry and terrorism in Kebbi and other North-West states.