Troops kill five terrorists in foiled ambush on GOC’s Convoy in Kebbi

By Khubayb Adefaka

The troops responded swiftly and decisively, overpowering the attackers with superior firepower. Five terrorists were neutralized, and the ambush was successfully repelled,” the statement read.

Kebbi State — Troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army have foiled an attempted ambush on the convoy of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Bemgha Koughna, killing five suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

The incident occurred near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State as the GOC, who also serves as Commander, Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was en route to visit frontline troops deployed in the state.

In a statement issued Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the convoy reportedly came under heavy gunfire while navigating a forested and volatile stretch of the area.

“The troops responded swiftly and decisively, overpowering the attackers with superior firepower. Five terrorists were neutralized, and the ambush was successfully repelled,” the statement read.

According to the Army, the attack was part of ongoing attempts by the Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) to undermine security operations in the North West. Authorities, however, maintained that troops remain resolute in sustaining pressure on armed groups operating in the region.

Following the exchange of fire, soldiers conducted a clearance operation around the ambush site, recovering 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 ₦840,000 believed to be logistics funds.

Military authorities described the seizure as a significant setback to the operational capacity of the terrorist network.

“The operation demonstrates the unwavering commitment of 8 Division Nigerian Army to safeguard lives and property and to sustain pressure on terrorist elements across the North West,” the statement added.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA is a joint security initiative targeting banditry and terrorism in Kebbi and other North West states. In recent months, troops have intensified offensives across forest corridors and border communities long plagued by attacks attributed to the Lakurawa group.

Security analysts say the failed ambush underscores increasing military pressure on insurgent networks as operations expand to disrupt their supply lines and strongholds across the region.