Nigerian Army troops have killed Babangida Kachala, the second-in-command to a notorious bandit leader, during an operation in Kogi State.
The operation, carried out on September 11 under Operation Accord III, came just days after soldiers neutralised another commander, Kachalla Balla, along with five gang members at a hideout near Tunga during Operation Egwua a Tite II.
In a statement on Saturday, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, said troops had laid an ambush around Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede following intelligence reports on bandit movements.
Although initial contact was missed, the soldiers later ran into an ambush staged by the criminals. “In the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralising one of the criminals,” Abdullahi said.
Items recovered from the scene included a loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 in cash. Blood trails suggested several bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.
Intelligence later confirmed that Babangida Kachala, deputy to Kachala Shuaibu, was among those who fled but eventually died from his injuries.
The Army said the development marked another breakthrough in its campaign against banditry in Kogi, stressing that its forces would maintain aggressive patrols and ambushes until criminal networks are dismantled.
Abdullahi urged residents to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information