Troops of the Nigerian Army have intensified their campaign against banditry in northern Nigeria, scoring significant victories in Kogi and Zamfara States during a series of recent operations. These efforts, spearheaded by the 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III and the 1 Brigade Forward Operating Base under Operation Fansan Yamma, have resulted in the neutralization of notorious bandit leaders and the recovery of large sums of ransom money, but not without considerable sacrifice from the military’s ranks.
On September 11, 2025, the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), executed a meticulously planned operation based on credible intelligence regarding bandit movements within the Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede areas of Kogi State. According to a statement released by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point. Although initial contact with the bandits was not made, the troops encountered an ambush by the criminals as they withdrew to their base, setting the stage for a fierce firefight.
“In the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralizing one of the criminals,” Abdullahi stated, as reported by multiple outlets including Vanguard and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The troops then swept the area, recovering an array of items: one fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 in cash. The presence of bloodstains at the scene suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.
Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled wounded was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and the second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a feared bandit group operating in the Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State. Kachala was later confirmed dead, marking a significant blow to the bandit network in the region. “Subsequent intelligence confirmed that Babangida Kachala was among those who fled with gunshot wounds and was later confirmed dead,” Abdullahi said, reiterating the army’s commitment to dismantling criminal elements in Kogi State.
The operation in Kogi is part of a broader, ongoing military effort to restore peace and security to areas plagued by banditry and kidnapping. The Nigerian Army emphasized that the morale and fighting efficiency of its troops remain high and that it continues to dominate its area of responsibility through regular patrols and ambushes. The military also encouraged citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations, underscoring the importance of community cooperation in the fight against crime. “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,” the official statement read.
While the Kogi operation marked a clear victory, the fight against banditry elsewhere in northern Nigeria has proven costly. In Zamfara State, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma suffered significant losses after being ambushed by bandits along the Lilo–Kotorkoshi road in Gusau Local Government Area. The incident occurred on September 8, 2025, as soldiers were escorting traders to the Gusau market. According to Captain David Adewusi, spokesperson for the operation, the troops came under heavy fire during their patrol. “Following the fierce battle, the troops neutralised six terrorists, forcing the rest to flee in disarray,” Adewusi said in a statement cited by TV360 Nigeria. Tragically, three soldiers died in the initial firefight, and two others who were critically wounded later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total number of military casualties to five.
Despite these losses, the Nigerian military reported significant achievements during a series of coordinated operations conducted between September 8 and 10 across Zamfara and Sokoto States. These missions resulted in the neutralization of several terrorists, the interception of ransom payments, and the recovery of livestock stolen by bandits. Security forces seized over ₦20 million believed to be ransom money, more than 160 rustled animals, and cleared terrorist hideouts in Shinkafi, Gusau, Bukkuyum, and Tureta Local Government Areas.
Further details from the military highlighted the effectiveness of stop-and-search operations. At Katuru Bridge, troops intercepted three suspects carrying ₦870,000, and later the same day, two others were arrested in a black Toyota Corolla with ₦14 million in cash. Preliminary investigations revealed that these funds were ransom payments for abducted locals along Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic. The operations began with coordinated offensives along the Shinkafi–Katuru–Galadi–Tubali axis, where troops cleared terrorists’ hideouts in the forests around Galadi and Tubali, forcing many criminals to flee with gunshot wounds.
The military’s recent actions in both Kogi and Zamfara States illustrate the complex and dangerous landscape of security in northern Nigeria. The neutralization of high-profile bandit leaders like Babangida Kachala not only disrupts criminal operations but also sends a strong message to other would-be perpetrators. However, the loss of five soldiers in Zamfara serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by security personnel on the front lines.
Public cooperation remains a recurring theme in official statements from the Nigerian Army. The military has repeatedly called on citizens to provide credible information that can help root out criminal elements. This partnership between the armed forces and local communities is seen as essential for achieving lasting stability. As the army continues its patrols, ambushes, and intelligence-driven operations, the hope is that sustained pressure will ultimately break the cycle of violence and restore normalcy to affected regions.
For now, the situation remains fluid. The army’s successes in neutralizing notorious figures and intercepting ransom payments are important milestones, but the persistence of ambushes and attacks shows that banditry remains a formidable challenge. The government and military leadership have vowed to maintain, and even escalate, their operations until peace is fully restored.
As September progresses, residents in Kogi, Zamfara, and other affected states will be watching closely, hoping that the latest breakthroughs signal the beginning of the end for the bandit crisis in northern Nigeria.
