In a sustained effort to rid Kogi State of banditry and other security threats, troops from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have continued to achieve significant success in the ongoing Operation EGWUA A TITE II. The operation, which began on September 1, 2025, aims to restore peace and security to communities troubled by criminal activities.
According to a statement from Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, the operation kicked off with a decisive engagement. Troops from the 126 Battalion, working in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF) and led by their Commanding Officer, made contact with bandits in the Tunga general area. The encounter resulted in an intense fire exchange, during which two bandits were neutralized.
Following the initial success, the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, who also serves as the Force Commander of Operation “Accord III,” led the troops in a further advance. This push led to the destruction of several bandit settlements. The troops solidified their control over the area by conducting patrols and ambushes, effectively dominating the territory and disrupting the bandits’ operations.
The military’s efforts were bolstered on September 2, 2025, with the deployment of close air support from the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group. Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched an air combat mission to Ankomi. The operation was highly effective, with the air support engaging fleeing bandits on sight and neutralizing scores of them, severely limiting their ability to escape and regroup.
Further ground operations continued to yield positive results. On September 3, 2025, troops from the 126 Battalion conducted a series of clearance operations in the Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba communities. These missions led to the recovery of five locally made Dane guns. In a significant win for the local community, the operations also resulted in the rescue of Pabo Suleiman and his two children from a kidnappers’ den. They have since been safely reunited with their family, bringing relief to a community under duress.
The momentum of the operation continued on September 5, 2025, with a fierce gun battle at a bandit hideout near Tunga.
Intelligence confirmed that Kachalla Bala, a notorious bandit commander, was neutralized along with five of his accomplices. This strike represents a major blow to the criminal network in the region. That same day, troops and the OHF conducted a successful ambush along a key bandit supply route at the Agbede–Adankoo Bridge (Mosalanci Boka). The ambush resulted in the neutralization of a bandit logistics courier, further crippling the criminals’ operational capabilities.
During the ambush, troops recovered crucial items, including one motorcycle, two mobile phones, and an AK-47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. These items provide valuable intelligence and disrupt the bandits’ ability to communicate and arm themselves.
The 12 Brigade has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to its mission. They have pledged to remain resolute in their efforts to rid Kogi State and its neighboring areas of banditry, criminality, and other security threats, ensuring lasting peace and security for all residents. The operation is a testament to the Nigerian Army’s dedication to protecting civilians and maintaining law and order.