By Muslimat Itopa
The Kogi State Government has intensified its offensive against banditry, dismantling more than seven criminal camps and rescuing 16 kidnapped victims during a coordinated security operation in the state.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this on Tuesday after a closed-door security briefing with heads of security agents at the Chari Maigumeri Barracks in Lokoja.
The operation, code-named “Operation India,” was conducted in collaboration with multiple security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Among the rescued victims are a 65-year-old woman and her eight-year-old son. The governor assured that all those freed would be reunited with their families after necessary medical checks.
According to Governor Ododo, the operation lasted over two weeks and involved coordinated ground and air assaults on bandit enclaves believed to be inaccessible.
“For over two weeks, men and officers across security agencies left their families and personal comforts to stay in the forests confronting these criminals,” Ododo said. “With their resilience, professionalism, and commitment, we have dismantled several camps and rescued victims without harm.”
Security operatives recovered over 50 mobile phones, ammunition, and other items from the destroyed camps.
The governor described the development as a significant breakthrough in restoring security in the state.
He commended the synergy among the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other stakeholders, noting that their unified objective was to rid the state of criminal elements.
Ododo also praised Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to national security, reaffirming that Kogi State would not negotiate with criminals unless they surrendered their arms unconditionally.
“We are open to peace, but not peace by mere words. They must lay down their weapons before any consideration for pardon,” he stated.
An intelligence analyst revealed that the operation was intelligence-driven, involving months of profiling key bandit leaders operating in Kogi Central and surrounding areas.
Among those identified were notorious commanders including Kachala Babangida, Kachala Kabiru, Kachala Batchujo, Kachala Shaibu, and Kachala Ibrahim. Security forces reportedly mapped their movements, infiltrated their networks through informants, and gathered actionable intelligence on their capabilities.
“Both air and ground assets were deployed,” the analyst said. “In one encounter at Batchujo’s camp in a dense forest area, troops engaged the bandits in a gun battle lasting nearly two hours, supported by the Air Force and Police Air Wing.”
Several bandits were neutralized during the exchange, while others fled. The camps were subsequently overrun and destroyed.
One of the rescued victims, Rukayat Muhammad, a student from Kaduna State, recounted her traumatic experience. She said she was abducted while traveling back to Kaduna.
“I was asleep when I started hearing gunshots. They ordered us out of the car and took us into the bush,” she said. “Some of them kept saying they wanted to marry me. One even said I should follow him to his state and continue my studies there.”
Her account highlights the psychological trauma endured by victims during captivity.
In a related development, Governor Ododo visited an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Zone Eight, where some rescued individuals are being temporarily sheltered pending investigations to determine their identities and ensure none were collaborators.
He was received by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Rabiat Okute, and reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
“My mandate is to secure lives and property,” the governor said. “With continued cooperation and support for our security agencies, we will defeat these criminals.”
The state government has urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible information with security agencies as operations continue to flush out remaining criminal elements.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings