The Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, together with other security forces, has secured a major victory in its campaign against banditry in Kogi State. Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the brigade’s spokesperson, announced that the notorious bandit deputy commander Babangida Kachala was neutralized on 11 September during Operation Accord III.
The operation began after credible intelligence revealed the movement of bandits in the Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede area of Ijumu Local Government Area. A combined force of troops set an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point. Although the initial contact failed, the troops were later ambushed by the bandits while withdrawing to base. In the ensuing firefight, the soldiers used superior firepower to neutralize one of the criminals.
Recoveries from the scene included a fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood‑pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 in cash. Bloodstains suggested that several bandits escaped with gunshot wounds. Subsequent intelligence confirmed that Babangida Kachala was among those wounded and later died.
The army has reassured the people of Kogi of its determination to restore lasting peace and security, urging citizens to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing operations. The elimination of Babangida Kachala, second‑in‑command to Kachala Bala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group in the state, represents a significant blow to the bandit network.
Operation Accord III forms part of a broader effort to address security challenges in the region, aiming to restore peace, protect civilians, and end the menace of banditry in Kogi State. With high morale and fighting efficiency, the troops continue to apply unrelenting pressure on the bandits.
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