Troops of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the ONSA Tactical Team, have neutralised over 15 terrorists, including wanted kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, during an intelligence-led operation in Kogi State.
Battijo, identified as the mastermind of the recent church attack in Eruku, Kwara State, was killed on 10 June 2026 during a foiled kidnapping attempt.
The operation also dismantled key elements of his network and dealt a major blow to terrorist and kidnapping activities in the North Central region.
Follow-up clearance operations led to the recovery of more than 15 terrorist bodies, including gang members who attempted to flee after the initial encounter.
Furthermore, on Monday 15 June, 2026 a team from the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, led by Brigadier General Karim Sidi, later exhumed Battijo’s body for autopsy in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Brigadier General Sidi commended the support of the ONSA, noting that its intelligence and operational assistance contributed significantly to the success of the operation.
Also, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, while briefing NSA Nuhu Ribadu on Monday, disclosed that the operation was driven by actionable intelligence and advanced surveillance assets used to track Battijo and his associates.
Intelligence gathered during the operation also uncovered a plot to attack and abduct students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
The operation not only eliminated a high-value terrorist target and weakened his network but also foiled a planned attack on students, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-driven security operations.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
