Army GOC escapes ambush, five suspected terrorists killed in Kebbi

 By Benedicta Aboh

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgha Koughna, narrowly escaped an ambush by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group (LTG) near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Army said the attack occurred while the GOC’s convoy was on its way to visit frontline troops deployed in the state.

The release, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division/Sector 2 Operation HADARIN DAJI, described the incident as a decisive counter-operation carried out under intense hostile conditions.

According to the statement, the convoy came under heavy gunfire as it navigated a volatile forested stretch of the area, where the suspected terrorists had reportedly laid in wait.

“Demonstrating exceptional leadership and tactical prowess, Major General Koughna and his troops responded with overwhelming firepower, neutralising five terrorists and repelling the ambush,” the statement read.

The Army said the swift counter-attack not only secured the convoy but also disrupted the attackers’ plans, sending what it described as a strong deterrent message to insurgent groups operating in the region.

Following the exchange of fire, troops conducted a sweep of the surrounding area to prevent further threats and gather intelligence.

During the operation, soldiers reportedly recovered a cache of weapons and other items believed to belong to the fleeing assailants.

Items recovered include one OJC gun, one PKT gun, two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, one bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing ₦840,000, two mobile phones and five motorcycles.

Military authorities said the recovered materials would aid ongoing intelligence efforts and further weaken the operational capacity of the suspected Lakurawa group in Kebbi State and neighbouring areas.

The North-West has continued to grapple with security challenges, as armed groups frequently target communities, security personnel and travellers.

The Army noted that the latest encounter highlights ongoing efforts to contain and dismantle terrorist networks in the region.

Troops, the statement added, remain deployed and on high alert to prevent any reprisal attacks or attempts by the insurgents to regroup.

Military authorities also urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible information, as operations intensify across flashpoints in the North-West.