By Segun Oyenibi
The Nigerian Army says troops of the 12 Brigade, Lokoja, have continued to consolidate gains in the ongoing Operation “Egwua A Tite II” in Kogi State.
In a statement, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Lokoja, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, said the operation, which commenced on first of september 2025, has recorded significant breakthroughs against bandits and other criminal elements.
According to him, troops of 126 Battalion, led by the Commanding Officer in collaboration with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), engaged bandits around the Tunga general area, neutralizing two of them.
He asserted that the Brigade Commander and Force Commander, Operation Accord III, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, also boosted troop morale by leading forces along their axis of advance, resulting in the destruction of several bandit settlements while maintaining dominance through patrols and ambushes.
Lieutenant Abdullahi further disclosed that acting on credible intelligence, troops, with close air support from the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, launched an air raid in Ankomi, where fleeing bandits were engaged and scores neutralized.
In a related development, he said troops of 126 Battalion, during clearance operations in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba communities on 3 September, rescued one Mr. Pabo Suleiman and his two children, while recovering dane guns and ammunition.
“Notably, on 5 September 2025, during a fierce gun battle at a bandits’ hideout near Tunga, intelligence confirmed that Kachalla Bala, a notorious bandit commander, and five of his fighters were neutralized. On the same day, troops, in collaboration with OHF, carried out a successful ambush along a suspected bandit supply route at Agbede–Adankoo Bridge (Mosalanci Boka), neutralizing a logistics courier. Items recovered included a motorcycle, two mobile phones, and an AK-47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,” the statement read.
The 12 Brigade assured residents that it remains committed to clearing Kogi State and surrounding areas of banditry, criminality, and other security threats, as Operation Egwua A Tite II continues to yield positive results aimed at restoring peace and security.
Edited by Ajifa Ainoko
About The Author
