Five Suspected Terrorists Killed in Failed Ambush on Nigerian Army General Convoy in Kebbi

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Major General Bemgha Koughna, escaped an ambush by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group near Mayama Hill, Kebbi State, on Sunday.

According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, acting spokesperson for the 8 Division, the attack occurred while General Koughna’s convoy was traveling to visit frontline troops deployed in the state. The general also serves as commander of Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, a joint task force operating in Nigeria’s northwest.

The convoy came under heavy gunfire while moving through a forested section of the route. Soldiers accompanying the general quickly returned fire, engaging the attackers. The army confirmed that five suspected terrorists were killed during the clash and that the ambush was successfully repelled.

After the engagement, troops conducted a search of the area and recovered weapons and other items, including one OJC gun, one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles with four magazines, a bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing N840,000, two mobile phones, and five motorcycles.

The army said troops have maintained control of the area to prevent further attacks and to reassure local residents.

This incident follows a similar ambush in Borno State last November, where suspected Boko Haram members attacked a convoy carrying Brigadier General Musa Uba, resulting in his death along with four other personnel.

Major General Koughna’s convoy returned safely, and the army emphasized the swift and coordinated response of its personnel in neutralizing the threat.