Security forces kill terrorists, recover weapons in Kebbi raid

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A combined force of the Kebbi State police command and the military has neutralised suspected terrorist elements during a joint clearance operation at Gumki Forest in Kangiwa, Arewa Local Government Area of the state.

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The operation, conducted at about 6:05 am on Monday, September 14, 2026, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, motorcycles and other items allegedly belonging to the criminal elements.

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Statements by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman and spokesman of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, confirmed the raid.

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Gumki Forest, near the Nigeria-Niger border, is a known route used by bandits and Lakurawa elements operating in the area.

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According to the police statement, the joint team engaged the terrorists during the clearance operation and successfully neutralised some of them.

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Items recovered from the operation included one PKT rifle with 174 rounds of live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones, four motorcycles, a pair of military camouflage uniforms, a pair of boots and charms.

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“During the operation, the joint team successfully engaged and neutralised terrorist elements operating within the area,” Usman said.

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He added that the area remained relatively calm, while security forces continued clearance operations aimed at eliminating criminal elements from the forest and surrounding communities.

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In his statement, Osoba said troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, while advancing through identified terrorist enclaves, made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower.

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“Troops engaged the terrorist elements with superior firepower, eliminating several terrorists while others abandoned their positions and fled into the deep forest,” he said.

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He said a follow-up operation and thorough search of the area led to the recovery of a PKT machine gun, AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of 7.62 x 54mm belted ammunition and 7.62mm special ammunition.

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Other recovered items, according to Osoba, included four motorcycles, two smartphones, N87,000 cash and assorted combat and miscellaneous items.

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The Army spokesman said the operation was part of ongoing offensive operations aimed at clearing terrorist enclaves and restoring security in affected communities.

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The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar M. Hadejia, commended the operatives for what he described as their gallantry and dedication to duty.

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Hadejia said the command would sustain coordinated and intelligence-led operations with other security agencies to tackle banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality across the state.

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He also urged residents to support security agencies by providing “timely and credible information” that could assist ongoing operations.

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The police assured residents that joint security operations would continue in the area until criminal elements are completely cleared from the forest and its adjoining routes.

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