Nigerian troops have overrun a suspected Lakurawa terrorist stronghold in Sokoto State, killing several fighters, destroying camps and recovering weapons and motorcycles during a military operation aimed at disrupting armed groups operating in the North-West. The military says soldiers have maintained their presence in the area to prevent surviving fighters from regrouping.
The operation took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Waria Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. According to Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops of Sector 2 advanced through suspected terrorist hideouts around Alela, Bilange and Kandam villages before encountering armed fighters.
Danja said the soldiers engaged the suspected terrorists in a gun battle after reaching their positions in the forest. The confrontation reportedly forced the fighters to abandon their locations and retreat into surrounding wooded areas.
The military said its personnel pursued the fleeing fighters and killed several during the subsequent engagement. However, the statement did not specify the number of people killed or provide an independently verified casualty assessment.
Following the confrontation, troops searched the area and destroyed camps and structures described by the military as facilities supporting the group's operations.
The search also resulted in the recovery of weapons and five motorcycles. The military did not disclose the types or quantities of firearms recovered, apart from confirming that weapons were among the items seized.
“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,” Danja said.
The military described the operation as part of continuing efforts to eliminate safe havens used by armed groups and restrict their movements across communities in the North-West.
According to the task force, soldiers remained deployed around the affected locations after the initial confrontation, conducting additional clearance activities intended to prevent the fighters from returning.
The command said the continued deployment was necessary to strengthen security in communities surrounding Waria Forest and reduce the possibility of further attacks.
Danja also conveyed the Theatre Command's commendation to participating soldiers, acknowledging their conduct during the operation and their continued deployment in difficult security conditions.
The military urged residents to provide credible information about suspicious movements and activities, describing community intelligence as an important contribution to ongoing operations.
The statement did not report casualties among the troops or civilians, and it did not confirm whether any suspected fighters were captured alive.
There was also no immediate independent account from residents of Alela, Bilange, Kandam or neighbouring settlements concerning the scale of the confrontation.
The latest operation follows previous military engagements with suspected Lakurawa fighters in Tangaza Local Government Area, where security agencies have repeatedly reported attempts to dismantle armed hideouts.
In September 2026, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted another clearance operation around Manu, Alkasim and Kandam villages before advancing towards Magarya Forest.
During that mission, soldiers reportedly encountered armed fighters who withdrew after an exchange of gunfire.
A subsequent search produced a PKT machine gun, AK-47 rifles, ammunition, motorcycles and other equipment, according to the military's account.
The September operation involved some of the same communities mentioned in the October 15 statement, indicating continued military activity within the wider Tangaza area.
However, the authorities have not established whether the fighters encountered during the two operations belonged to the same specific unit or occupied the same camps.
Earlier in 2026, the military also reported an engagement in Kadam Forest, another location within Tangaza Local Government Area.
According to that account, intelligence indicated that more than 100 suspected Lakurawa fighters had gathered in the forest, allegedly preparing attacks and kidnappings.
Troops subsequently engaged the group, killing three suspected fighters and recovering firearms, ammunition, communications equipment and motorcycles.
The military said further patrols were conducted after the confrontation to identify additional suspects and prevent regrouping.
In another incident, soldiers responded to an attempted attack on a Nigeria Immigration Service facility at Ruwa Wiri village in Tangaza.
The army reported killing two suspected Lakurawa fighters during that encounter and recovering two AK-47 rifles, ammunition and a motorcycle.
These earlier operations provide context for the latest military offensive but do not independently establish the identity of those killed in Waria Forest.
The Lakurawa group has been associated with armed violence and insecurity affecting parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states, particularly communities near Nigeria's northwestern border.
Reports concerning its activities have included allegations of attacks on settlements, threats against security installations and the movement of armed fighters through rural areas.
In January 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared the Lakurawa group a terrorist organisation following proceedings brought before the court.
The designation provided a legal basis for treating the organisation's activities under Nigeria's counterterrorism framework.
Nevertheless, responsibility for individual attacks still requires evidence identifying the perpetrators and their involvement.
The broader military campaign in the North-West has involved operations against armed groups responsible for killings, abductions, cattle rustling and attacks on communities.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA brings together military personnel conducting coordinated security operations across affected states.
Its activities include patrols, intelligence-led missions, responses to attacks and operations aimed at recovering abducted civilians.
On September 20, troops operating in Sokoto State reportedly rescued 23 kidnapped people during separate engagements in Wurno and Isa local government areas.
The military said six victims were rescued after soldiers responded to an attack on Sabon Gari in Wurno, while another 17 were recovered following an operation along the Isa–Kwanar Isa–Shinkafi Road.
Four suspected Lakurawa members were also arrested during a separate operation in Illela Local Government Area, according to the task force.
Those incidents demonstrate the range of security operations being conducted, although their reported outcomes have not all been independently verified.
More recently, military reports described an attempted attack by suspected Lakurawa fighters in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7.
According to the account, a large group travelling on motorcycles confronted troops, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
The military reported killing ten suspected fighters and recovering motorcycles, weapons, ammunition and communications equipment.
The latest Sokoto operation therefore occurred amid continuing engagements involving armed groups across the region.
For communities near Waria Forest, the immediate concern remains whether the military presence can prevent further attacks and enable residents to carry out their activities safely.
The destruction of camps may disrupt an armed group's operations, but the long-term security impact cannot be established solely from the outcome of one engagement.
That assessment will depend on subsequent developments, including whether fighters return, whether attacks continue and whether residents experience improved security.
The task force has said its personnel will maintain pressure on suspected terrorist positions and continue efforts to deny armed groups freedom of movement.
As of October 15, the military had confirmed the recovery of five motorcycles and unspecified weapons, the destruction of camps and the reported killing of several fighters.
The precise death toll, identities of those killed and wider consequences of the operation remain unconfirmed.
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