Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team, have neutralised over 15 terrorists, including notorious 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 June 10, 2026, while attempting a kidnapping operation. Security forces also dismantled key elements of his network in what authorities described as a major setback to criminal activities in the North Central region.
Following the operation, clearance missions led to the recovery of more than 15 terrorist bodies, including fleeing gang members who were tracked down after the initial encounter.
In a follow-up development on June 15, a team from the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, led by Brigadier General Karim Sidi, exhumed Battijo’s body in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State for autopsy.
Brigadier General Sidi commended the support of ONSA, noting that intelligence and operational coordination were crucial to the success of the mission.
Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo also confirmed that the operation was driven by actionable intelligence and advanced surveillance systems used to track Battijo and his associates.
He further revealed that intelligence gathered during the operation uncovered a plot to attack and abduct students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu LGA.
Authorities said the operation not only eliminated a high-value target and disrupted his network but also prevented a planned attack on students, underscoring the effectiveness of intelligence-led security operations in the region.
