Army guns down dreaded bandit leader in Kogi

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Bala, during a fierce gun battle in Kogi State.

Bala, who had long terrorised communities, was neutralised alongside five of his men on Friday, September 5, in an operation led by the Army’s 12 Brigade Lokoja under Operation EGWUA A TITE II.

Army spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said the operation, which kicked off on September 1, has delivered major blows to bandits, with kidnapped victims rescued and weapons seized.

Among the recovered items were five dane guns, an AK-47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds, one motorcycle, and two mobile phones.

The Army disclosed that Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, Commander of the Brigade and Force Commander of Operation Accord III, personally led the troops in several missions, destroying bandit hideouts and maintaining control with patrols and ambushes.

Troops also recorded victories earlier in the week: two bandits were gunned down in Tunga, an air combat mission neutralised several others in Ankomi, while clearance operations in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba freed Mr. Pabo Suleiman and his two children from captivity.

Abdullahi assured that the Army remains resolute in flushing out bandits and restoring peace across Kogi and its neighbouring communities.