The Nigerian Army has confirmed that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Major-General Bemgha Koughna, narrowly escaped an ambush by suspected Lakurawa terrorists near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State.
In a statement issued Monday and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, the Army disclosed that the attack occurred while the GOC’s convoy was on its way to visit frontline troops operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
According to the statement, the convoy came under heavy gunfire from armed men who had reportedly laid siege around the volatile forest corridor near Mayama Hill.
The Army said Major-General Koughna and his troops responded with what it described as “overwhelming firepower,” successfully repelling the attack and neutralising five of the suspected terrorists.
The statement noted that the swift counter-ambush not only ensured the safety of the convoy but also disrupted what it described as a calculated attempt to destabilise security operations in the area.
“This operation secured the convoy and delivered a strong deterrent message to insurgent groups terrorising communities in the general area,” the Army said.
Following the encounter, troops reportedly combed the surrounding forest and recovered a cache of weapons and materials believed to belong to the fleeing attackers.
Items recovered included 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, a camel bag containing ₦840,000, two mobile phones and five motorcycles.
Military authorities said the seizure would significantly weaken the operational capacity of the suspected Lakurawa group in Kebbi and neighbouring areas.
The North-West region has continued to battle persistent attacks by armed groups targeting communities, security personnel and travellers.
The Army assured residents that troops remain deployed and vigilant across flashpoints, adding that operations to dismantle terrorist networks in the region have been intensified.
Residents were also urged to provide credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
