𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

There was widespread celebration in Mansur, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on Wednesday, as residents returned en masse to reclaim their ancestral homes after months in exile.

The joyous return marks the end of a two-month displacement that began on 26 February 2026, when armed terrorists overran the village and forced families to flee for safety. According to a Flash Report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the attacks displaced a total of 12,168 individuals from 2,857 households, including 4,338 children, 5,030 women, and 2,800 men .

For nearly two months, farmlands lay fallow and homes were abandoned as displaced residents took refuge in neighbouring communities, including Kashere in Gombe State .

Military Operations Clear Strongholds

The turnaround began with Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III, directed by Army Headquarters—a sweeping clearance operation conducted by 33 Artillery Brigade. This was preceded by Operation WUTAN DAJI, a deliberate follow-up operation aimed at flushing terrorists out of their strongholds.

The operations successfully cleared terrorists from the dreaded Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State and Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State. Other areas cleared included Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas and Rimi in Bauchi State, as well as Odere Forest, Shirnagol, Wanka and Kukarlwa in Plateau State. Kumbodoro town and Angwan Jauro Sule in Taraba State were also secured.

According to an operational report cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), troops neutralised several bandits during the clearance of Kumbodoro Forest, destroyed multiple enclaves including the notorious Azuge camp, and rescued eight kidnapped victims .

In the Dajin Madam Forest axis, troops took into custody 19 family members of bandits, comprising six women and 13 children, while recovering an AK-47 magazine, tramadol drugs, and several military and police uniforms .

Community Leaders Commend Army Chief

Following the successful clearance operations, communities such as Mansur—hitherto under the clutches of terrorists—became liberated. The operations then transitioned into the consolidation phase, involving 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.