Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, have exhumed the body of a notorious terrorist and bandit kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, from a deep forest near Iluke in Bunu District, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The exhumation, carried out on Monday, June 15, 2026, was part of a follow-up clearance operation designed to enable a full autopsy and forensic examination of the slain kingpin, whose criminal network had terrorised communities across the North‑Central and North‑West regions for years.
Battijo was neutralized on June 10, 2026, during a fierce gun battle that thwarted a mass abduction attempt targeting students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Iluke community. On that day, heavily armed bandits, reportedly disguised in military uniforms, stormed the community and targeted Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, where candidates were sitting for their English Language paper. The attackers unleashed violence on the community, killing the Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, a 70‑year‑old man, Sunday Jacob Alhassan, and a six‑year‑old child, Sunday Ayele.
Following a distress call, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, working alongside local vigilantes and hunters, swiftly moved into the area and engaged the assailants in a fierce gun battle. During the exchange, security forces eliminated Battijo and neutralized more than 15 members of his gang. The successful operation ensured the students were protected and later moved to a safer location to continue their examinations.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State visited Iluke‑Bunu to assess the situation, commiserate with the families of the victims, and commend the security operatives for repelling the attack. He described the killing of Battijo as a major breakthrough in efforts to tackle insecurity in the state. On Monday, the governor also briefed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on the operation, providing a detailed account of the intelligence‑driven mission. Governor Ododo disclosed that highly sophisticated intelligence assets had been deployed to monitor Battijo’s movements, leading to the discovery of his plot to abduct the WAEC candidates. Acting on that intelligence, the state government relocated the students from a vulnerable location to the heart of Iluke town to guarantee their safety while they continued their examinations.
The operation against Battijo’s network did not end with his elimination. In a follow‑up clearance mission, troops led by Brigadier General Karim Sidi exhumed the remains of the slain terrorist leader for further examination and intelligence purposes. The clearance operation also led to the neutralization of additional gang members who had been hiding around the area. Security forces had earlier recovered more than 15 bodies of bandits during clearance operations, underscoring the scale of the victory recorded against the criminal group.
Governor Ododo expressed profound appreciation to the National Security Adviser, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and the Director‑General of the Department of State Services for their support. He particularly commended the courage and sacrifice of personnel of the Kogi State Vigilante Service and the Hunters Group, whose local knowledge contributed significantly to the success of the operation. The governor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and providing the leadership required to confront terrorism and banditry.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu described Battijo as one of the most dangerous terrorist figures operating within the region and said his elimination represented a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and banditry. He pledged continued federal support for security operations in Kogi State, which shares borders with nine states and the Federal Capital Territory. Security agencies have intensified the manhunt for fleeing members of the group, while surveillance has been strengthened around vulnerable communities and schools to prevent further attacks.
The elimination of Battijo and the subsequent exhumation of his remains rank among the most significant counter‑terrorism successes in Kogi State in recent years. As troops continue to dismantle the remaining elements of his criminal network, the people of Iluke and the surrounding communities are left to bury their dead and hope that the death of the kingpin who terrorized them for years will finally bring lasting peace.
Above is the photograph of the exhumation operation and the late terrorist kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments