The community had been deserted since February 26, 2026, when armed gangs invaded the village, forcing families to flee and leaving their farmlands and properties to rot.
The Nigerian Army has announced the return of residents of Mansur community in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, two months after terrorists overran their homes and forced them into exile.
In a statement released on Thursday, the military claimed that its Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III flushed out the terrorists from their dreaded strongholds across forests in Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba states, which led to the return of the residents amid widespread jubilation.
The community had been deserted since February 26, 2026, when armed gangs invaded the village, forcing families to flee and leaving their farmlands and properties to rot.
Signed by Lieutenant Oluwakemi Fagbolagun, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 33 Artillery Brigade, the NA said the turnaround began with a sweeping clearance operation directed by the Army Headquarters.
According Fagbolagun, the directive was closely followed by Operation WUTAN DAJI, which targeted terrorists hiding in the Dajin Madam Forest (Plateau) and Kumbodoro Forest (Taraba).
The military listed several other liberated areas, including the Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas, and Rimi in Bauchi State; Odere Forest, Shirnagol, Wanka, and Kukarlwa in Plateau State; as well as Kumbodoro town and Angwan Jauro Sule in Taraba State.
“Following a successful conduct of the clearance operations, communities such as Mansur which were hitherto under the clutches of the terrorist became liberated,” the statement noted.
The Army further revealed that the mission has transitioned into a “consolidation phase,” where cleared towns and villages are being handed over to relevant security agencies and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to maintain law and order and facilitate the permanent resettlement of displaced persons.
On Wednesday, scenes of celebration erupted in Mansur as men, women, and children danced back into their village. Many were seen clearing bushes that had overtaken their compounds during the two-month displacement.
Community leaders commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the intervention, noting that the presence of troops has restored hope and security to the embattled region.
