Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade have recorded a major success in their fight against insecurity in Kogi State. They killed a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Balla, along with five of his fighters, during a clearance operation.
The announcement was made in Lokoja by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations.
Kogi State has, in recent years, become a safe haven for bandits and kidnappers. Because it shares boundaries with nine other states and the Federal Capital Territory, it is often used by criminals as a transit route when escaping from security forces in neighboring states. The difficult terrain, thick forests, and rivers have also made it easy for gangs to establish camps from where they attack villages, travellers, and even security personnel.
On September 5, 2025, soldiers stormed a hideout near Tunga where they engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle. At the end of the fight, Kachalla Balla and five of his men were killed. Military intelligence later confirmed the development as a major breakthrough in the ongoing operation.
The soldiers also carried out an ambush at the Agbede–Adankoo Bridge, a route known to be used by bandits for moving supplies. A courier working for the criminals was killed in the attack. Items recovered from the scene included a motorcycle, two mobile phones, and an AK-47 magazine containing 20 rounds of ammunition. In another battle in the Tunga area, troops of the 126 Battalion killed two additional bandits.
To further boost morale, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, Commander of the 12 Brigade and Force Commander of Operation Accord III, personally joined the follow-up missions. His leadership inspired the troops as they destroyed several bandit settlements and intensified patrols and ambushes to secure the area.
The operations were not limited to ground battles alone. On September 2, with support from the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, the troops carried out an air raid in Ankomi, targeting fleeing bandits and killing several of them. Between September 3 and 4, clearance operations in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba led to the rescue of Mr. Pabo Suleiman and his two children, who were safely reunited with their family. Five locally made dane guns were also recovered.
The Nigerian Army has restated its commitment to clearing Kogi State of banditry. According to Lieutenant Abdullahi, the ongoing operation involves ground troops, hybrid forces, and air support from the Nigerian Air Force, all working together to dominate the area and respond swiftly to threats.
For many residents of Tunga, Agbede, and Adankoo, this victory brings relief after months of kidnappings, robberies, and violence. Criminal gangs had turned forests into detention camps where kidnapped victims were held until ransom was paid. The death of Kachalla Balla, described as one of the most feared bandit leaders in Kogi, is now seen as a turning point that could restore peace and security to the state and its surrounding communities.
