Troops Neutralize 5 Terrorists as GOC Escapes Deadly Ambush in Kebbi

​By :Olatunji Adesina

​KEBBI — Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to Operation FANSAN YAMMA on Monday morning successfully repelled a sophisticated ambush targeting the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Major General Bemgha Paul Koughna, in Kebbi State.

​The high-stakes encounter, which took place near the notorious Mayama Hill, resulted in the elimination of five terrorists suspected to be members of the emergent Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG).

​The GOC’s convoy was navigating the dense, volatile forested terrain of the region while en route to visit frontline troops when it came under sudden, heavy fire. Military sources describe the assault as a coordinated attempt to disrupt military leadership in the North West.

​Tactical Mastery Under Fire

​According to a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 8 Division, the GOC and his security detail demonstrated “exceptional tactical prowess” in the face of the surprise assault.

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​Instead of withdrawing, the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun duel. The superior firepower of the Nigerian Army eventually forced the terrorists to retreat into the deep bush, leaving five of their comrades dead.

​Major Weapon Seizure

​Following the firefight, a meticulous “cordon and search” operation was conducted across the battleground. The aftermath revealed a significant blow to the insurgents’ logistics, with the recovery of:

1.Heavy Weaponry: One OJC Gun and one PKT Gun.

2.Small Arms: Two AK-47 Rifles with four loaded magazines.

​3.Ammunition: One bandolier of PKT rounds and several belts of 12.7mm ammunition.

​4.Logistics: Five motorcycles used for the ambush, two mobile phones, and a camel bag containing ₦840,000 in cash.

​Ongoing Dominance

​The Lakurawa group, which has recently drawn the attention of national security analysts for its activities along the Nigeria-Niger border, has been a primary target of Operation FANSAN YAMMA. Major General Koughna, who assumed command of the 8 Division just last month, has vowed to intensify the offensive against these non-state actors.

​As of Monday evening, additional reinforcements have been deployed to the Mayama axis to maintain dominance and track down the fleeing remnants of the terrorist cell.