Residents of Mansur community in Alkeleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State have begun returning to their homes after months of displacement caused by terrorist attacks.
In a statement, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations 33 Artillery Brigade Lieutenant Oluwakemi Fagbolagun said the return, which took place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, was marked by widespread celebration as families streamed back into the village to reclaim their ancestral homes.
The community had been abandoned since February 26, 2026, when armed terrorists invaded the area, forcing residents to flee for safety. During the period of displacement, farmlands were left uncultivated while homes remained deserted.
The development followed a series of coordinated military operations led by the Nigerian Army. The clearance mission, codenamed Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III and executed by the 33 Artillery Brigade under directives from Army Headquarters, was preceded by Operation WUTAN DAJI—a follow-up offensive designed to dislodge террорист elements from their hideouts.
Military sources confirmed that the operations successfully neutralised terrorist strongholds across multiple locations, including the Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State and Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State. Other cleared areas include Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas and Rimi in Bauchi State, as well as Odere Forest, Shirnagol, Wanka and Kukarlwa in Plateau State. In Taraba State, Kumbodoro town and Angwan Jauro Sule were also secured.
With the successful clearance of these areas, previously occupied communities such as Mansur have been liberated. Authorities have since transitioned to a consolidation phase, involving the handover of secured locations to relevant security agencies and government institutions to sustain peace and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
Scenes of joy replaced fear in Mansur as returning residents sang and danced, while others assessed the condition of their homes and began clearing overgrown vegetation from their compounds.
Community leaders praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the intervention, describing it as timely and decisive. They expressed optimism that the restoration of security would enable residents to rebuild their lives and resume normal activities.
For many returnees, the presence of security personnel now represents safety and reassurance, signalling a renewed sense of hope for the future.
