Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 8 Division have successfully foiled a deadly ambush by suspected terrorists targeting the convoy of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Bemgha Koughna, near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State.
The incident occurred while the GOC, who also serve as Commander of Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was en route to visit frontline troops deployed in the state as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-West region.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army, the convoy came under heavy gunfire from suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group while moving through a volatile forested area.
Troops accompanying the GOC swiftly responded to the attack with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, successfully repelling the ambush and neutralising five of the attackers. The Army said the decisive response not only secured the convoy but also disrupted the terrorists’ operational plans in the area.
Following the engagement, soldiers conducted a thorough sweep of the surrounding terrain, leading to the recovery of a cache of weapons and other items believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists. Items recovered include one OJC gun, one PKT machine 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.
The Army noted that troops remain deployed in the general area to maintain operational dominance and prevent further attacks, while ongoing operations continue to target terrorist elements threatening communities across the North-West.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the 8 Division Nigerian Army to safeguarding civilians and sustaining pressure on terrorist groups operating within its area of responsibility.
