Kogi: Joint Forces Crush Kachalla’s Strongholds

LOKOJA — In a decisive and coordinated kinetic offensive, a multi-agency security task force has successfully obliterated three major bandit enclaves in the hinterlands of Kogi State. The operation, which occurred over the weekend of February 15, 2026, targeted camps reportedly commanded by the notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Babangida. State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), confirmed on Tuesday that the assault featured a potent mix of precision aerial bombardment and aggressive ground exploitation. Consequently, the mission resulted in the neutralization of scores of terrorists and the safe recovery of several kidnapped victims previously held in the dense Kogi West forest enclaves.

The joint special operations team comprised elite personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Navy. Furthermore, the Nigerian Air Force provided critical overhead cover, delivering superior firepower that overwhelmed the insurgents within their hideouts. The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force worked alongside local hunters and vigilantes to secure the perimeter and prevent escapes. While it is true that Babangida has long eluded capture, this latest blow has significantly degraded his operational logistics and manpower. Indeed, the Kogi State Government described the destroyed camps as central nodes for kidnapping and cattle rustling across the North-Central zone.

The success of the raid underscores the growing efficacy of the “hybrid force” model, which integrates local intelligence with federal military might. Rescued victims are currently receiving intensive medical care at state-owned facilities before their planned transfer to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. In a related development, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has reaffirmed his administration’s “zero-tolerance” policy toward criminality, pledging to spare no resources in the total elimination of terrorism. Significantly, the state government recently intensified surveillance after reports suggested that bandits were migrating from the North-West into the relatively stable forests of the Confluence State.

Notably, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, urged residents to remain vigilant and maintain strict compliance with current security protocols. The government recently banned late-night religious activities and movement in vulnerable border communities following intelligence of planned retaliatory strikes. Although the military continues to dominate the tactical space, the State Security Adviser emphasized that public cooperation remains the ultimate weapon against asymmetric warfare. Above all, the destruction of these camps serves as a stark warning to criminal syndicates attempting to establish permanent “taxation zones” in Kogi’s agrarian communities.

Finally, the Federal Government’s commitment to curbing banditry appears to be yielding tangible results in the North-Central corridor. The strategic neutralization of Babangida’s lieutenants marks a pivotal shift in the 2026 security outlook for the region. For the commuter in Lokoja or the trader in Okene, these victories offer a renewed sense of safety on the state’s vital highways. Therefore, the focus must now shift to holding the recovered territory to prevent the re-infiltration of fleeing remnants. As a result, the Nigerian Army intends to sustain its “unrelenting pressure” through Operation Accord and other regional clearance exercises.