TROOPS, OTHER HYBRID FORCES KILL NOTORIOUS BANDIT LEADER IN KOGI STATE . (PHOTO).

 Troops, other hybrid forces kill notorious bandit leader in Kogi State 

Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation ACCORD III, in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces, OHF, have killed a notorious bandit leader in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, identified as Babangida Kachala.

A statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations,12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi noted that on September 11 the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point following credible intelligence on the movement of terrorists within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area.

According to Lieutenant Abdullahi, initial contact was not made but while the troops were withdrawing they ran into an ambush by the criminals along their route leading to an ensuing exchange of fire. 

The gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralising one of them and thereafter exploited the area, during which they recovered one fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and the sum of ₦16,000 cash.

"Bloodstains observed at the scene further suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds. Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and the second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State. He was later confirmed dead."

The statement added that troops of 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III will continue to dominate the area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within the boundaries of Kogi State. 

According to the statement, the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.

The Nigerian Army reassures the good people of Kogi State of its determination to restore lasting peace and security, while encouraging citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.