By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under Operation Accord III, in collaboration with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), have recorded another major breakthrough in ongoing operations to rid Kogi State of banditry and other criminal activities.
In a statement, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, said that on September 11, 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and the Ayetoro Gbede general area, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point.
“Although initial contact was not made, the troops, while withdrawing to base, ran into an ambush staged by the criminals along their route,” he said.
In the ensuing firefight, Abdullahi disclosed that the troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, killing one of them.
“The troops thereafter exploited the area, during which they recovered one fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 cash. Bloodstains observed at the scene suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds,” he added.
Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, leader of a group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest in Kogi State. He was later confirmed dead.
Abdullahi further said that troops of the 12 Brigade under Operation Accord III continue to dominate their area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at decimating bandits and other criminal elements within Kogi State. He noted that the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.
The Nigerian Army reassured the people of Kogi State of its determination to restore lasting peace and security, while encouraging citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
