Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III, in collaboration with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), have dealt a major blow to criminal elements in Kogi State, neutralizing a notorious bandit leader’s deputy during an ambush.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, the operation took place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area.
The troops initially laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point but made no contact. While withdrawing, they ran into an ambush staged by the criminals. A firefight ensued, during which the soldiers overpowered the bandits, killing one of them and forcing others to flee with gunshot wounds.
A subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of a fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 in cash. Bloodstains at the scene suggested multiple bandits sustained injuries.
Further intelligence confirmed that Babangida Kachala, second-in-command to the notorious bandit leader Kachala Shuaibu, was among those who fled with gunshot wounds and was later confirmed dead. His group has long operated around Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest in Kogi State.
The Army assured residents that troops under Operation ACCORD III will continue to dominate the area with sustained patrols and ambushes to root out criminal elements.
“The morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals,” the statement read. The Army also urged citizens to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing operations aimed at restoring lasting peace in the state.
