Ododo Briefs Ribadu As Troops Eliminate Terrorist Kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo In Kogi

The Nigerian Military has eliminated a prominent terrorist leader, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, during an operation in Kogi State.

Naija News reports that the security forces, acting on credible intelligence, foiled a planned attack on students writing their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), killing Battijo during the coordinated operation.

Following the development, the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has since briefed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on the successful mission.

According to a statement on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ododo briefed Ribadu on the killing of the bandit kingpin on Monday.

The statement signed by Maryam Abubakar Gulma, narrated that during the meeting, Governor Ododo gave a detailed account of the intelligence-driven operation that culminated in the neutralization of the criminal leader, describing it as a product of effective collaboration among federal security agencies, local security structures and the Kogi State Government.

The Governor disclosed that highly sophisticated intelligence assets were deployed to monitor the movements and activities of Battijo and his gang, leading to the discovery of their plot to attack and abduct students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.

Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the Kogi State Government relocated the students from a vulnerable location to the heart of Iluke town to guarantee their safety while they continued their examinations.

“Despite the proactive intervention by government and security agencies, Battijo and his gang launched an attack on the community in a desperate bid to execute their criminal mission. However, troops of the Nigerian military, working in synergy with other security agencies, the Kogi State Vigilante Service and local hunters, successfully repelled the attack. In the fierce gun battle that followed, the notorious bandit kingpin was neutralized, while his criminal network suffered devastating losses,” the statement noted.

The Governor added that in a follow-up clearance mission after eliminating Battijo, troops of the Nigerian Army led by the Commander, 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, successfully exhumed the remains of the slain terrorist leader for further examination and intelligence purposes.

The operation also led to the neutralization of additional members of Battijo’s gang who had been hiding around the area following the initial encounter.

“Security forces had earlier recovered more than fifteen bodies of bandits during clearance operations, underscoring the scale of the victory recorded against the criminal group and confirming the operation as a comprehensive success,” the statement added.

Ribadu Responds

Responding, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, described the elimination of Kachalla Battijo as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry.

The NSA, who described Battijo as one of the most dangerous terrorists operating in the country, said his neutralization represents a major milestone in ongoing national efforts to restore peace and security across Nigeria.

He commended Governor Ododo for his commitment, courage and uncompromising resolve in tackling insecurity, noting that the feat demonstrates the effectiveness of strong collaboration between state governments and federal security institutions.

Mallam Ribadu emphasized the strategic importance of Kogi State to Nigeria’s security architecture, given its unique position as a gateway state that shares boundaries with nine states and the Federal Capital Territory. He assured the Governor of the continued support of the Federal Government and security agencies in sustaining gains already recorded in the fight against criminality.

The National Security Adviser further noted that the successful operation reflects the effectiveness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security reforms and the growing synergy among security institutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.