TROOPS RESTORE HOPE AS MANSUR RESIDENTS RETURN HOME AFTER MONTHS OF DISPLACEMENT
There was widespread celebration in Mansur, Alkeleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, as residents returned en masse to reclaim their ancestral homes after months in exile.
The community had been deserted since 26 February 2026 when armed terrorists overran the village and forced families to flee for safety. For nearly two months, farmlands lay fallow and homes were abandoned.
The turnaround began with Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III, directed by Army Headquarters. This was 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.
The operation successfully cleared terrorists from the dreaded Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State and Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State. Other areas cleared of terrorist included Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas and Rimi in Bauchi State. 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.
Following a successful conduct of the clearance operations, communities such as Mansur which were hitherto under the clutches of the terrorist became 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.
On Wednesday, scenes of joy replaced fear as men, women and children sang and danced their way back into the village. Many were seen inspecting their homes and clearing bushes that had overtaken compounds during the period of displacement.
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.
OLUWAKEMI FAGBOLAGUN
Lieutenant
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
33 Artillery Brigade
23 April 2026.
More photos below.
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