From Disperse To Hope: Army Liberates Mansur Community Ravaged By Terrorists

A wild celebration engulfed Mansur, Alkeleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2026, as residents returned en masse to reclaim their ancestral homes after months in exile.

It was learnt that the community had been deserted since 26th February, 2026 after armed terrorists overran the village and forced families to flee for safety.

As a result, for nearly two months, farmlands lay fallow and homes were abandoned.

However, things changed for the better as Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III, directed by Army Headquarters, stepped into it with a sweeping clearance operation conducted by 33 Artillery Brigade. BUGUN KANKARDA III was proceeded by Operation WUTAN DAJI, a deliberate follow-up operation aimed at flushing terrorists out of their strongholds.

After an intense sting operation, the troops successfully cleared terrorists from the dreaded Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State and Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State.

Other areas also cleared of terrorist included Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas and Rimi in Bauchi State. While others are Odere Forest, Shirnagol, Wanka and Kukarlwa in Plateau State. In the same vein, Kumbodoro town and Angwan Jauro Sule in Taraba State were also secured.

According to Lieutenant Oluwakemi Fagbolagun, the acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 33 Artillery Brigade further disclosed that after a successful clearance operations, communities such as Mansur which were hitherto under the clutches of the terrorist have been liberated.

Consequently, the operations transitioned into the consolidation phase which involves the handover of cleared towns and villages to relevant security agencies and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to maintain law and order as well as return displaced communities to their ancestral homes.

However, on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2026, joy and estacy replaced fear as men, women and children sang and danced their way back into the villages, as many were seen inspecting their dilapidated homes and engag d at clearing the bushes that had overtaken over compounds during the period of displacement.

In that vein, community leaders commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his swift intervention in restoring peace to Mansur community, noting that the return of residents marks the beginning of a new chapter.

For the villagers, the sight of soldiers on patrol now brings reassurance rather than anxiety, Lieutenant Oluwakemi Fagbolagun reiterated.