Armed Forces Successfully Eliminate Renowned Criminal Head and Five Others in Kogi Operations
Nigerian Army Successfully Clears Bandits from Kogi State
In a significant move against banditry in Kogi State, the Nigerian Army's 12 Brigade has announced the successful clearance operations as part of Operation EGWUA A TITE II. The operation, launched on September 1, 2025, aimed to rid Kogi of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
During these operations, a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Balla, and five of his fighters were gunned down near Tunga. Kachalla Balla, known as one of the most dreaded bandit leaders operating in the state, was noted as a "breakthrough" in the army's ongoing counter-banditry campaign.
Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, the Commander of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army and Force Commander of Operation Accord III, led a follow-up operation. This resulted in the destruction of several bandits' settlements and the dominance of the area with patrols and ambushes.
The 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group supported troops in an airstrike on Ankomi, resulting in the killing of several bandits. Troops also recovered five locally made dane guns during the operations. A logistics courier was neutralized at the Agbede-Adankoo Bridge (Mosalanci Boka), and a motorcycle, two mobile phones, and an AK-47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
The operations also resulted in the rescue of Mr. Pabo Suleiman and his two children from bandit captivity. The clearance operations were carried out between September 3 and 4 in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba communities.
Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, disclosed these developments in a statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja. Kogi State shares boundaries with nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, making it a strategic location that has unfortunately become a hotspot for banditry due to its challenging terrain and forests.
Criminal gangs often use these areas as hideouts to launch attacks. The successful clearance operations by the Nigerian Army units, including the 12 Brigade and the 126 Battalion supported by Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), under the overall command of Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi and with air support from the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, mark a significant step towards restoring peace and security in Kogi State.
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