Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A coordinated multi-agency security operation has dismantled criminal camps in Kogi State following a heavy offensive targeting hideouts linked to a notorious bandit leader, in what authorities describe as a major breakthrough in the state’s fight against violent crime.
The special operations team comprised personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services. The Nigerian Air Force provided aerial support, while local vigilantes and hunters joined ground forces in navigating forested terrain believed to serve as operational bases for armed groups.
According to security sources, the camps were reportedly under the control of Kachalla Babangida, a bandit leader long associated with kidnapping and armed attacks across parts of North-Central Nigeria. The offensive combined coordinated air strikes with simultaneous ground assaults designed to overwhelm and dislodge the fighters from entrenched positions.
Military sources indicated that the bombardment involved precision air operations aimed at disabling defensive structures within the camps before ground troops advanced. The approach, officials said, minimized the risk to hostages while maximizing operational impact against the armed groups.
Security sources confirmed that scores of bandits were neutralized during the engagement. The camps were said to have been completely destroyed, with weapons and logistical materials recovered. Several kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation, though authorities have not released an official figure detailing the number of individuals freed.
The Kogi State Government confirmed that the rescued victims were immediately transported to medical facilities for treatment. Officials stated that the victims are undergoing health assessments and trauma support, given the physical and psychological strain typically associated with prolonged captivity.
After medical stabilization, the victims are expected to be relocated to internally displaced persons camps for temporary accommodation before being reunited with their families. State authorities said the phased reintegration process is intended to ensure both safety and structured support for those affected.
Kogi State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), praised the joint forces for what he described as courage, discipline, and professionalism under challenging operational conditions. He assured the operatives of sustained logistical and political backing from the state government as clearance operations continue.
The government emphasized that the offensive marks part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal enclaves across forested areas in the state. Officials indicated that intelligence-driven operations will persist in order to prevent displaced fighters from regrouping or relocating to neighboring communities.
In a formal statement, the Kogi State Government expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as sustained federal commitment to tackling insecurity nationwide. The statement also acknowledged the Office of the National Security Adviser, the leadership of the DSS, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante networks for their respective contributions.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to protect lives and property across the state, stating that criminal groups will find no safe haven within Kogi’s borders. He reiterated that security collaboration between federal and state authorities remains central to maintaining stability.
Kogi State, strategically located in Nigeria’s North-Central corridor, has in recent years faced periodic threats from bandit groups exploiting forested areas as transit and operational bases. The latest offensive reflects a growing pattern of integrated security responses combining air and ground capabilities to confront non-state armed actors.
Residents in affected communities have been urged to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by sharing credible intelligence. Authorities underscored that community participation remains critical to sustaining gains achieved through military action.
While officials have described the operation as a significant success, they cautioned that security efforts will remain ongoing. Clearance and mop-up operations are expected to continue in surrounding areas to ensure that residual threats are neutralized.
For now, state authorities maintain that the destruction of the camps and the rescue of hostages represent a decisive step in restoring public confidence and disrupting organized bandit networks operating within Kogi State.
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