Troops of the Nigerian military have destroyed a Lakurawa terrorists’ enclave in Sokoto State, killing several fighters and recovering weapons and five motorcycles during a clearance operation in Tangaza Local Government Area.
The operation was carried out on Thursday, October 15, 2026, by troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force, North-West, under Operation Fansan Yamma, at Waria Forest, according to a statement by the Theatre Command.
The troops reportedly advanced through identified terrorist hideouts around Alela, Bilange and Kandam villages before making contact with the armed group in the forest.
During the ensuing gun battle, the troops deployed superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their positions and retreat further into the forest.
The military said the troops pursued the fleeing fighters, neutralising several of them before moving to clear the area.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the destruction of the terrorists’ camps and all life-support structures, as well as the recovery of weapons and five motorcycles,” the statement said.
The Theatre Command added that troops remained deployed in the area, continuing clearance operations to prevent the terrorists from regrouping and using the forest as a safe haven.
It said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, restrict their freedom of movement and improve security in communities across the joint operations area.
Commending the troops for their performance, the Theatre Command praised their courage, resilience and sustained operational efforts.
It also called on residents to support the military by providing credible and timely information about suspicious movements and activities in their communities.
The statement was signed by the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, on October 15, 2026.
