FILE PHOTO: Troops of the Nigerian Army. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of the Nigerian Army @HQNigerianArmy]
By James
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Senior Army Commander survived deadly ambush in Kenbi, give insurgents neutralised
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Bemgha Koughna, on Sunday survived a deadly ambush staged by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Kebbi State.
The attack occurred near Mayama Hill as the senior officer’s convoy advanced through a forested corridor considered volatile due to repeated insurgent activity. Major General Koughna, who also serves as Commander of Sector 2 under Operation Fansan Yamma — a joint security task force operating across the North-west — was reportedly on his way to assess and encourage frontline troops deployed in the area.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, acting spokesperson of the 8 Division, the convoy came under intense gunfire in what appeared to be a premeditated ambush. Troops escorting the GOC immediately engaged the attackers in a fierce firefight, preventing what could have been a significant operational setback.
“Demonstrating exceptional leadership and tactical prowess, Major General Koughna and his troops responded with overwhelming firepower, neutralising five terrorists and thwarting the ambush,” the statement said.
Military sources confirmed that five suspected insurgents were killed during the exchange, while others reportedly fled into surrounding terrain under sustained counter-assault pressure.
Following the clash, troops conducted a thorough sweep of the area, recovering a cache of arms and logistics believed to belong to the attackers. Items retrieved include one OJC gun, one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles with four magazines, a bandolier of PKT ammunition, multiple rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, five motorcycles, two mobile phones, and a camel bag containing ₦840,000 in cash.
Security forces have since intensified patrols in the area, maintaining what officials described as “operational dominance” to deter further incursions and reassure local communities.
The latest incident underscores the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in forested border regions.
It also revives memories of a tragic ambush in November last year in Borno State, where suspected members of Boko Haram attacked a military convoy, killing Brigadier General Musa Uba and at least four other personnel.
Sunday’s encounter, however, ended differently — with the targeted commander surviving and his troops repelling the assault, reinforcing the military’s resolve to sustain pressure on insurgent elements across the region.
