Troops Ambush Lakurawa Terrorists Heading to Attack Kebbi Community, Recover Motorcycles, Communication Equipment

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled an attempt by the Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) to attack a community in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The troops, deployed for counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in the state, acted on credible intelligence indicating the movement of the terrorists towards Ugwan Hassan village in Dandi LGA.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the troops swiftly mobilised and laid a tactical ambush at a known crossing point near the village.

According to the source, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the group to abandon its mission and retreat in disarray.

The source said troops subsequently exploited the encounter site and recovered two motorcycles and other items believed to have been used by the terrorists for logistics and communication.

The recovered items included mobile phones, T&T communication radios and a Nigerien national identity card belonging to one of the fleeing terrorists, identified as being from the Tillabéri Region of the Niger Republic.

The recovery of the identification document further underscores the cross-border dimension of the Lakurawa threat, particularly along communities bordering the Niger Republic.

The troops have continued to dominate the general area through aggressive patrols while pursuing the fleeing terrorists.

The operation is aimed at preventing the terrorists from regrouping and ensuring the safety of residents in Dandi and neighbouring communities.

Troops Ambush Lakurawa Terrorists Heading to Attack Kebbi Community, Recover Motorcycles, Communication Equipment

Ado Aleiro Loses Son, Eight Family Members, 30 Motorcycles in Katsina Encounter

By Zagazola Makama

Notorious bandit leader Ado Aleiro has reportedly suffered a major setback following the loss of his son, eight other family members and about 30 motorcycles during a recent encounter at Doma village in Katsina State.

Intelligence obtained by Zagazola Makama indicated that the losses have significantly weakened the operational strength and mobility of Aleiro’s criminal syndicate.

According to the intelligence report dated Aug. 9, all the estimated 30 motorcycles deployed by the syndicate during the encounter reportedly failed to return, with their occupants said to have been neutralised.

The report further stated that Aleiro lost his son and eight other members of his family during the encounter.

The development is considered a significant blow to the bandit leader, particularly because motorcycles remain critical to the mobility, communication and operational activities of criminal gangs operating across the North-West.

Following the reported losses, intelligence indicated that Aleiro was, as of 3:51 p.m. on Sunday, moving alone on a motorcycle around Sakya Dutse, Higi and Asaula areas.

Sources said his movement was being monitored amid efforts to establish his next destination and assess the condition of his remaining network.

Further intelligence also indicated that the bandit leader was concerned about the vulnerability of a proposed location for his illegal mining activities at Gidan Buhari, under Chadiya Ward in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Aleiro was reportedly apprehensive that the location could come under attack by Yansakai operating from Tsafe town.

The concern is believed to be linked to the weakening of his syndicate following the reported losses in Katsina and the possible exposure of his remaining operational networks.

Security sources said the latest development could provide security agencies with an opportunity to intensify pressure on the weakened syndicate and prevent the regrouping of surviving members.

The reported destruction of the motorcycles is particularly significant as it could limit the gang’s ability to conduct rapid movements, launch attacks, transport supplies and evade pursuing security forces across difficult terrain.

The latest setback comes amid sustained military and security operations against bandit groups operating across Zamfara, Katsina and neighbouring states under Operation FANSAN YANMA.

Security agencies are expected to maintain surveillance of Aleiro’s movements while assessing the extent of the losses suffered by his network.

Authorities have also been advised to strengthen coordination among troops and other relevant security agencies in the affected areas, particularly around Tsafe and other locations where the syndicate may attempt to regroup.

Ado Aleiro Loses Son, Eight Family Members, 30 Motorcycles in Katsina Encounter

AGAIN, OPHK AIR STRIKES NEUTRALISE SCORES OF ISWAP FIGHTERS, ELIMINATE KEY VIP ESCORT COMMANDER Qaid Abu Khalid Al Muhajir IN SAMBISA

By Zagazola Makama

Recent air strikes conducted by the Nigerian Military have reportedly dealt a major blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Sambisa Forest, with nine fighters, including a prominent commander responsible for escorting senior terrorists, neutralised.

The strikes, conducted on Saturday, Aug. 8, around the Yuwe and Sabil Huda enclaves in the Sambisa Forest, were described by intelligence sources as highly effective.

According to fresh intelligence obtained by Zagazola Makama, one of those neutralised was Qaid Abu Khalid Al Muhajir, an ISWAP commander originally from Maiduguri metropolis.

Intelligence sources identified Abu Khalid as a specialist responsible for providing escorts and coordinating the movement of senior ISWAP commanders and other high-value members of the terrorist group.

He was reportedly highly familiar with navigation routes and tactical movements connecting major ISWAP enclaves, particularly routes used for the movement of senior commanders and special convoys.

His role reportedly made him an important facilitator of mobility within the terrorist group’s network, enabling senior members to move between enclaves while reducing the risk of interception by security forces.

The intelligence report indicated that nine ISWAP fighters were neutralised during the air strikes, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Sources said the casualties included terrorist elements linked to the group involved in the ambush of Nigerian troops along the Bita–Yamtage axis in Gwoza Local Government Area.

The latest intelligence suggests that the air strikes may have disrupted a wider network of fighters involved in terrorist operations across the Sambisa Forest and the Gwoza axis.

The neutralisation of Abu Khalid is considered significant because of his reported knowledge of the terrain, routes and movement patterns used by ISWAP commanders and special convoys.

His loss could therefore affect the group’s ability to move senior operatives between its various enclaves, particularly in areas where security forces have intensified surveillance and kinetic operations.

Security sources said the latest strikes would be followed by continued intelligence exploitation and surveillance to assess the extent of the damage and identify surviving members of the affected groups.

The development comes amid intensified military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist command structures, disrupting logistics and denying ISWAP and Boko Haram elements freedom of movement across Borno State.

The Nigerian Army and the Air Component is expected to sustain its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of ground troops operating across the Sambisa Forest, Gwoza and adjoining areas.

The military has also continued to place emphasis on precision targeting to disrupt terrorist leadership and specialised networks while supporting ongoing ground operations in the theatre.

AGAIN, OPHK AIR STRIKES NEUTRALISE SCORES OF ISWAP FIGHTERS, ELIMINATE KEY VIP ESCORT COMMANDER Qaid Abu Khalid Al Muhajir IN SAMBISA