By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has visited the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to formally brief him on the successful operation that led to the elimination of notorious terrorist and bandit kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, in Kogi State.
During the meeting, Governor Ododo gave a detailed account of the intelligence-driven operation that culminated in the neutralisation of the criminal leader, describing it as a product of effective collaboration among federal security agencies, local security structures and the Kogi State Government.
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A press statement signed and issued by the Kogi State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Honourable Kingsley Fanwo, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja, has disclosed.
According to the statement, Governor Ododo disclosed that highly sophisticated intelligence assets were deployed to monitor the movements and activities of Battijo and his gang, leading to the discovery of their plot to attack and abduct students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination, at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the Kogi State Government, relocated the students from a vulnerable location to the heart of Iluke town to guarantee their safety while they continued their examinations.
Despite the proactive intervention by government and security agencies, Battijo and his gang launched an attack on the community in a desperate bid to execute their criminal mission. However, troops of the Nigerian military, working in synergy with other security agencies, the Kogi State Vigilante Service and local hunters, successfully repelled the attack. In the fierce gun battle that followed, the notorious bandit kingpin was neutralised, while his criminal network suffered devastating losses.
The operation against the terrorist network did not end with the elimination of Battijo. In a follow-up clearance mission, troops of the Nigerian Army led by the Commander, 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, successfully exhumed the remains of the slain terrorist leader for further examination and intelligence purposes.
The operation also led to the neutralisation of additional members of Battijo’s gang who had been hiding around the area following the initial encounter. Security forces had earlier recovered more than fifteen bodies of bandits during clearance operations, underscoring the scale of the victory recorded against the criminal group and confirming the operation as a comprehensive success.
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 and for the gallantry displayed by officers and men deployed to Kogi State.
He particularly commended the courage, patriotism and sacrifice of personnel of the Kogi State Vigilante Service and the Hunters Group, whose local knowledge and commitment contributed significantly to the success of the operation.
The Governor also expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and providing the leadership required to confront terrorism, banditry and other security threats across the country.
According to the Governor, the successful elimination of Battijo and the sustained gains being recorded against criminal elements across the nation are clear indications that President Tinubu’s security initiatives are yielding measurable results.
He called on Nigerians to continue supporting the President and the nation’s security institutions, stressing that collective resolve remains essential to making terrorism, banditry and violent criminality relics of the past.
Governor Ododo assured the National Security Adviser that the elimination of Battijo has further strengthened public confidence in the state’s security architecture and reinforced the determination of his administration to sustain the offensive against criminal elements.
“Kogi State will never be a safe haven for terrorists, bandits or any criminal group. We will continue to work with federal security agencies to protect our people and ensure that our territory is not used as a launching pad for attacks on neighbouring states,” the Governor said.
Responding, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, described the elimination of Kachalla Battijo as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry.
The NSA, who described Battijo as one of the most dangerous terrorists operating in the country, said his neutralization represents a major milestone in ongoing national efforts to restore peace and security across Nigeria.
He commended Governor Ododo for his commitment, courage and uncompromising resolve in tackling insecurity, noting that the feat demonstrates the effectiveness of strong collaboration between state governments and federal security institutions.
Mallam Ribadu emphasised the strategic importance of Kogi State to Nigeria’s security architecture, given its unique position as a gateway state that shares boundaries with nine states and the Federal Capital Territory. He assured the Governor of the continued support of the Federal Government and security agencies in sustaining gains already recorded in the fight against criminality.
The National Security Adviser further noted that the successful operation reflects the effectiveness of President Bola Tinubu’s security reforms and the growing synergy among security institutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Ododo was accompanied on the visit by senior security officials and the State Security Adviser.
The successful elimination of Kachalla Battijo, the recovery of more than fifteen bandits’ bodies, the subsequent recovery of the terrorist leader’s remains, and the neutralisation of additional members of his gang represents one of the most significant counter-terrorism successes recorded in recent times. The achievement underscores the effectiveness of the collaboration between the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the Kogi State Government under Governor Ododo in the ongoing effort to secure lives, protect communities and restore lasting peace across Nigeria.
