Kogi Killing: Bandit Leader Batijo Linked to School Attack

The Kogi State Government confirmed on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, that Kachala Ibrahim Batijo, the suspected bandit leader accused of masterminding the recent attack on Government Secondary School Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, had been eliminated in a coordinated multi-agency security operation involving the military, police, DSS, and local vigilante groups.

Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed the development in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, saying intelligence reports had identified Batijo as the leader of a group that planned to abduct students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination at the school. Authorities relocated the students to a safer location before Batijo’s group launched its attack, preventing mass abductions.

Operation Eliminates Over 15 Fighters

Fanwo said the operation resulted in the death of Batijo and over 15 of his fighters. Security operatives subsequently conducted a follow-up clearance mission to the location where Batijo was buried by surviving members of his group. Troops exhumed his remains for forensic identification. The Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, led the Army contingent in the operation.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo visited National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja to formally brief him on the operation. Ododo praised the courage of the Kogi State Vigilante Service and the Hunters Group, whose local knowledge played a critical role in locating the bandit camp. He also commended President Tinubu for his security leadership.

Kogi Intensifies Security Measures

Furthermore, Kogi State intercepted illegal arms and arrested suspects in follow-up operations linked to the Batijo network, recovering weapons that authorities said were intended for future attacks. Meanwhile, Governor Ododo has banned commercial motorcycle operations in Bunu communities and shut markets along designated corridors to restrict bandit logistics. Consequently, the elimination of Batijo is a significant security win for Kogi, but the state said it would maintain heightened security protocols to prevent regrouping by surviving members of the criminal network.