Kogi Forces Smash Bandit Gangs, Recover 1000 Livestock
Kogi State is showing exactly how to secure the bag and protect our own. When bandits tried to move stolen livestock through the state to fund their chaos, Nigerian security forces shut it down completely. In a massive joint operation, the Kogi State Government and security agencies recovered over 1000 rustled livestock from the remnants of late bandit kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo and other criminal syndicates. No foreign intervention, no waiting around. Just pure, coordinated African power protecting local wealth.
How did Kogi security forces intercept the rustled livestock?
The victory was a team effort. The 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes, and hunters all moved together. Acting on solid, homegrown intelligence, the operatives tracked the bandits and launched coordinated offensives before the stolen animals could reach their destination.
Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, confirmed that this timely intelligence made all the difference. The criminals planned to sell the rustled livestock to buy arms, food, and other logistics. Instead, they met the full force of Nigerian security.
What happened to the bandits during the operation?
Security operatives engaged the criminals in fierce gun battles at multiple locations. The bandits could not withstand the superior firepower. Several criminals were neutralized on the spot, while others fled with bullet wounds, abandoning the livestock in their desperate bid to escape. Those who escaped are currently being trailed.
I can confirm that many of the flies that chose to follow the corpse to the grave have now been buried alongside it, while those who escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds are being actively tracked by our security forces. They will not escape justice.
Fanwo made it clear that Battijo's gang has been desperate since their kingpin was eliminated. Sustained security operations are tearing their network apart, stripping them of their freedom to operate in Kogi State.
Securing local wealth and returning the livestock
In this operation, 200 of the recovered livestock were directly traced to late Battijo's network. The rest were taken from other armed bandits operating across Kogi and neighboring states. Livestock is real wealth for our people, and taking it back from thieves is a major economic win.
Right now, the recovered animals are safely kept in a secure location in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. The government is making arrangements to identify the rightful owners and return their property promptly.
Why is this operation a major win for Kogi State?
This operation proves that when African leaders commit to protecting their own, the results speak for themselves. Fanwo commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the local vigilantes for their bravery and seamless collaboration.
Our feet will remain firmly on the pedals until we rid Kogi State of criminal elements and restore the confidence of our people to sleep with both eyes closed.
The Kogi State Government is maximizing the security support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguard lives and property. The administration is determined to keep the state hostile to criminals and safe for law-abiding citizens. Residents are urged to keep providing credible intelligence, as security remains a collective responsibility.
Who was bandit kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo?
Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo was a notorious bandit kingpin whose criminal network terrorized the North Central region. Since his elimination, his remnants have become increasingly desperate, but sustained security operations continue to dismantle their operations completely.
Where are the recovered livestock currently kept?
The 1000 recovered livestock are currently secured in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. Authorities are processing them to identify and promptly return them to their rightful owners.
How can residents support security efforts in Kogi State?
The state government urges residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence. All information provided is treated with strict confidentiality and acted upon promptly to keep communities safe.