Major General Bemgha Koughna, GOC 8 Division, narrowly escaped an ambush by suspected Lakurawa terrorists
Kebbi Ambush Foiled: Army GOC Survives Lakurawa Terrorist Attack, 5 Gunmen Killed, Weapons Seized
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Bemgha Koughna, on Sunday escaped a fierce ambush by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State.
According to a statement from the acting spokesperson of 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the incident unfolded as the GOC— who also serves as Commander, Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma—was travelling in a convoy to visit frontline troops deployed in the state.
The convoy came under heavy gunfire in a forested, high-risk stretch of terrain. Troops providing escort reacted immediately, unleashing overwhelming firepower in a intense firefight that repelled the attackers.
“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.
In the aftermath, troops swept the area and recovered a substantial cache of arms and logistics items, including one OJC gun, one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, and four AK-47 magazines.
Other recovered arms and items are a bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing ₦840,000, two mobile phones and five motorcycles.
The Nigerian Army said troops have since consolidated control of the area to prevent follow-up attacks and to reassure local communities of their safety and security.
The ambush on Major General Koughna is the latest in a pattern of terrorist groups targeting senior military officers. In November last year, suspected Boko Haram fighters ambushed a convoy in Borno State, killing Brigadier General Musa Uba and at least four other personnel.
Sunday’s successful counter-operation underscores the heightened vigilance and combat readiness of troops under Operation Fansan Yamma as the military intensifies efforts to degrade emerging terror threats in the North-west.
