Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation Accord III, In conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF) have neutralised a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masallaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State.
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi.in a statement issued Saturday said the troops recorded another breakthrough in ongoing operations to rid Kogi State of banditry and other criminal activities.
He explained that on 11 September 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point.
Abdullahi said though initial contact was not made, the troops, while withdrawing to base, ran into an ambush staged by the criminals along their route.
He added that in the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralising one of the criminals.
Abdullahi noted: “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 the sum of ₦16,000 cash.
“Bloodstains observed at the scene further suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masallaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State. He was later confirmed dead.”
Abdullahi said the troops continue to dominate the area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within the boundaries of Kogi State.