Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 12 Brigade, Lokoja, have recorded significant operational successes in a series of intelligence-driven patrols and ambush operations carried out across parts of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State. The operations, conducted on January 3, 2026, mark a renewed push by security forces to curb the movement of armed bandits and dismantle their networks in the central region of the country.
Military sources disclosed that the operations were launched following credible intelligence indicating the movement of armed bandits from the Adankolo general area towards Agbadu Bunu in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area. Acting swiftly on the information, troops deployed tactically and established a deliberate ambush at a location identified as a key crossing point frequently used by the criminal group. The decision to intercept the bandits at this point reflected a strategy aimed at cutting off their routes and limiting their ability to regroup or retreat.
According to the account provided by the army, the bandits walked directly into the ambush position and were immediately engaged by troops. The confrontation forced the attackers to retreat in disarray, with soldiers observing visible bloodstains during subsequent exploitation of the area, indicating that the bandits sustained casualties while fleeing. During the engagement, two bandits were neutralised by the troops, representing a tangible operational gain in an area that has experienced persistent security threats in recent months.
In the aftermath of the clash, soldiers recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition believed to have been in the possession of the bandits. Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, ninety-nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a locally fabricated firearm and eleven cartridges. Military officials said the recovery not only deprives the criminal elements of firepower but also provides valuable intelligence that could assist in tracing supply routes and collaborators.
The momentum of the operations was sustained as further intelligence pointed to bandit activity around Saminaka village in Yagba West Local Government Area. In response, troops of the 12 Brigade, working in close coordination with local vigilantes familiar with the terrain, launched a fighting patrol into the village and its surrounding forested areas. The collaboration with community-based security groups underscored the growing emphasis on joint efforts to address insecurity at the grassroots level.
On arrival at Saminaka village, troops observed that the area had been completely deserted, a development often associated with the presence or anticipated movement of armed groups. Soldiers subsequently dismounted and began a detailed exploitation of the surrounding forest and the routes leading towards the Saminaka–Sabo Rijiya road, an axis considered strategic for bandit movement. During this phase, troops made contact with an unconfirmed number of bandits and engaged them in a firefight that forced the criminals to withdraw deeper into the forest.
The army said that during follow-up exploitation along the withdrawal route, troops discovered the body of one neutralised bandit, alongside another AK-47 rifle and seventeen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The find further reinforced assessments that the bandits suffered losses during the engagement and were compelled to abandon weapons while escaping under pressure from the troops.
Beyond direct combat encounters, the operations also targeted the logistical backbone that sustains bandit activities in the region. During the same mission in Yagba West, troops arrested a suspected bandit logistics supplier identified as Sunday Adedotun, a resident of Odo Eri village. The suspect was apprehended on farmland within Saminaka village and reportedly claimed to assist farmers in transporting produce after harvest. However, items discovered at the settlement raised suspicion, including cartons of energy drinks and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce, materials often used to supply armed groups operating in remote areas.
Military authorities confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing investigation to determine the extent of his involvement in supporting criminal operations. Security analysts note that disrupting logistics networks is a critical component of counter-banditry efforts, as armed groups rely heavily on local suppliers for food, water, fuel and intelligence to sustain prolonged operations in forested enclaves.
The series of successful engagements highlights the sustained pressure being mounted by the Nigerian Army against criminal elements and their support networks in Kogi State. While the state is often overshadowed by the more widely reported banditry crises in the northwest, recent incidents have underscored the growing threat posed by armed groups exploiting inter-state corridors linking the north and central regions of the country.
Commending the troops for their performance, the Commander of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, praised their professionalism, courage and timely response to actionable intelligence. He noted that the conduct of the soldiers during the operations reflected a high level of commitment to duty and an unwavering resolve to protect lives and property. The commander also reassured residents of affected communities that the army remains determined to deny criminal elements freedom of action in the area.
General Sidi emphasised that aggressive patrols, ambushes and intelligence-driven operations would be sustained to consolidate the gains recorded and prevent bandits from regrouping. He called on members of the public to continue supporting security efforts by providing credible information, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to long-term stability.
For residents of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West, the operations have offered a measure of reassurance amid lingering fears over insecurity. Community leaders expressed cautious optimism that the intensified military presence and proactive engagements would deter further attacks and restore confidence among farmers and traders whose livelihoods have been disrupted by bandit activities.
As security forces continue to adapt their tactics to evolving threats, the latest operations in Kogi State signal a broader determination by the Nigerian Army to confront armed banditry beyond traditional hotspots. Observers say sustained pressure, combined with effective intelligence gathering and community engagement, will be essential to translating these tactical successes into lasting peace for communities across the region.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments