Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a notorious bandit leader, Babangida Kachala, during an ambush in Kogi State.
The operation, carried out by soldiers of the 12 Brigade under Operation Accord III, was conducted in collaboration with other security forces.
According to a statement issued on Saturday in Lokoja by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the troops engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle after coming under attack.
“On 11 September 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area, our troops laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point. While returning to base, they ran into an ambush staged by the criminals,” Abdullahi said.
He added, “In the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops neutralised one of the criminals. Intelligence later confirmed that Babangida Kachala, second-in-command to the notorious bandit leader Kachala Shuaibu, sustained gunshot wounds and was later confirmed dead.”
The troops also recovered a fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 cash. Bloodstains at the scene suggested that several bandits fled with injuries.
The army spokesperson described the operation as a “major breakthrough” in the fight against banditry in Kogi State.
“Our soldiers remain determined to restore lasting peace and security in Kogi. We urge citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations,” Abdullahi said.
