By Joy Yesufu
The Kogi State Government has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Kachala Ibrahim Batijo, who was allegedly behind a foiled plot to abduct students and recent attacks on communities in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, describing the development as a major breakthrough in the state’s fight against insecurity.
According to Fanwo, Batijo was among several bandits neutralised during a coordinated security operation involving the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and local security outfits.
The commissioner linked the slain bandit leader to the June 10 attack on Iluke Bunu, where three persons, including a vice principal and a six-year-old child, lost their lives.
He alleged that Batijo had been coordinating plans to abduct students from schools across Kogi State and specifically targeted candidates sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Iluke.
Fanwo explained that intelligence reports had earlier alerted the state government to the planned attacks, prompting authorities to temporarily shut schools in vulnerable areas and strengthen security around examination centres.
“We received intelligence that he wanted to attack schools in Kogi State and abduct students. Acting on that information, we took preventive measures, including relocating students from vulnerable locations and reinforcing security around schools,” he said.
The commissioner revealed that the government deployed advanced intelligence-gathering technology to monitor the activities of the suspected bandit leader and his associates.
According to him, security agencies successfully foiled an attempt by heavily armed attackers, reportedly numbering about 100 and operating on approximately 40 motorcycles, to abduct students during the Iluke attack.
“They could not take a single student away. Our local security architecture, supported by the military, police, DSS and other security agencies, successfully repelled the attack,” he stated.
Fanwo further disclosed that security operatives had recovered the body believed to be that of Batijo from a secret burial site and were conducting further forensic examinations to establish his identity conclusively.
“We are highly confident that he was neutralised during the operation, but scientific verification and further investigations are being carried out to confirm this beyond doubt,” he added.
The commissioner noted that several other suspected terrorists were killed during the operation, while ongoing clearance missions continue across affected areas to dismantle remaining criminal networks.
The Kogi State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to rid the state of banditry and other violent crimes.
