Troops record further success in Kogi State as another bandit leader is eliminated in an ambush

NIGERIAN Army commanders have claimed that troops of the 12th Brigade operating in Kogi State have eliminated the notorious bandit leader Babangida Kachala along with five of his gang members in a daring raid.

Kachala, who was the second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, leader of the gang operating within the Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State, has terrorised the area over recent years. This week, however,  soldiers from the 12th Brigade participating in Operation Accord III in collaboration with other hybrid forces, succeeded in attacking his camp and destroying it.

This success comes as the Nigerian Army recorded a similar feat barely a week earlier, when operatives neutralised another commander, Kachalla Balla, together with five of his gang members. On September 5, at a hideout near Tunga under Operation Egwua A Tite II, the troops also ambushed a bandit courier at the Agbede-Adankoo Bridge, recovering weapons and supplies intended to aid the criminals in their operations.

Lt Hassan Abdullahi, the acting assistant director of public relations at the 12th Brigade, in Lokoja, confirmed the latest operation. He pointed out that following the operation, several kidnapped victims were rescued during follow-up clearance missions with air support in what was a significant step towards restoring peace in Kogi State.

Apparently, on September 11, 2025, following intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and the Ayetoro Gbede general area, troops laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point. While withdrawing to base on their way back, the troops ran into an ambush staged by the bandits.

According to Lt Abdullahi, in the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralising one of the criminals. He added that subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, who was later confirmed dead.

Lt Abdullahi said: "The troops later exploited the area and recovered one fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and N16,000 cash. Bloodstains at the scene indicated that several bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.”

Troops of the 12th Brigade continue to control the area, with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within Kogi State. Lt Abdullahi explained that the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remains high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.

He further stated that the Nigerian Army remains determined to restore lasting peace and security in Kogi State. Lt Abdullahi urged local citizens to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing operations in order to end all the criminal activities of the bandits.