Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully foiled an ambush on the convoy of a senior commander in Kebbi State, killing five suspected terrorists during the encounter. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, February 23, 2026, targeted the General Officer Commanding of the 8 Division while he was on an operational visit to frontline formations.
The incident took place near Mayama Hill, an area known for security challenges in parts of the North-West. The convoy was reportedly moving through the corridor when armed assailants launched a sudden ambush, opening fire from concealed positions along the route.
The commander involved in the incident, Major General Bemgha Koughna, serves as the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA. He was said to be on his way to assess troops’ operational readiness and boost morale when the attack occurred.
Military authorities disclosed that the troops responded swiftly and decisively to the ambush. The soldiers returned coordinated firepower, overpowering the attackers and neutralising five of them in the process. The convoy was secured without any reported casualties among the military personnel.
In a statement issued after the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division, confirmed the development. He described the troops’ response as professional and commended their alertness under pressure.
Following the gun battle, soldiers conducted a sweep of the area to prevent regrouping by fleeing fighters. During the operation, they recovered several weapons and other items believed to have been used by the attackers.
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Items reportedly recovered included one OJC gun, a PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles with magazines, ammunition, mobile phones, cash amounting to ₦840,000, and five motorcycles suspected to have been used for mobility in the terrain. The army said the recovery would aid ongoing intelligence efforts.
The military linked the assailants to the Lakurawa Terrorist Group, a group accused of carrying out attacks in parts of the North-West. Security forces have intensified operations in the region in recent months to dismantle criminal and insurgent networks.
Authorities noted that the attempted ambush underscores the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating in forested corridors across the region. However, they maintained that continued offensive operations are yielding measurable results.
The army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and safeguarding communities. Troops have reportedly remained on heightened alert in the aftermath of the attack, with patrols ongoing to prevent further security breaches in the area.
