The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Bemgha Koughna, on Sunday escaped an ambush by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State, military authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred while the commander's convoy was travelling through a forested and volatile stretch of terrain en route to visit frontline troops deployed in the state. Major General Koughna also serves as Commander of Sector 2 under Operation Fansan Yamma, a joint task force operating in the North-West.
According to a statement issued by the acting spokesperson of the 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the convoy came under heavy gunfire as it moved through the area. Troops accompanying the senior officer immediately returned fire, engaging the attackers in what was described as a fierce exchange.
The army said five suspected terrorists were killed during the encounter, and the ambush was successfully repelled. "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 read.
Following the counter-attack, troops reportedly conducted a sweep of the area, recovering a cache of weapons and other items. The items recovered include one OJC gun, one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles and four AK-47 magazines. Others are a bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing N840,000, two mobile phones and five motorcycles.
Military authorities added that troops have since maintained dominance in the area to forestall further attacks and reassure residents of their safety, amid ongoing security operations in the region.
The ambush is the latest in a series of attacks targeting senior military officials. In November last year, suspected Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a team in Borno State, killing Brigadier General Musa Uba and at least four other members of his entourage.