Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader Kachalla Kabiru in Kogi

Operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), alongside troops of the Nigerian Army and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), have successfully neutralised notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Kabiru, during a coordinated security operation in Kogi State.

According to a reliable source who spoke to The Nation on Monday, the operation also led to the elimination of several of Kabiru’s key lieutenants, dealing a significant blow to the criminal network operating in the region.

The joint operation, which took place on February 13, 2026, followed weeks of intensive intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance. Security agencies reportedly confirmed Kabiru’s location at a designated hideout before launching the assault.

“Kachalla Kabiru and some of his top lieutenants were neutralised in a coordinated operation involving air and ground assets,” stated the source. “The strike followed credible intelligence confirming the kingpin’s presence at a designated target location”

The source added that, Kabiru was centrally involved in the recruitment, coordination and movement of bandits across several states in the North Central and adjoining zones.

“Kabiru moved from the North West into Kogi over 10 years ago and entrenched himself in the forests and border communities,” . “From there, he coordinated kidnapping and banditry operations across Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Enugu, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states. He was a key node linking criminal groups across state lines.” the source confirmed.

The source disclosed that Kabiru played a major role in logistics and manpower mobilisation for bandit groups, facilitating the movement of fighters, weapons and kidnapped victims between forest corridors extending from the North West into the North Central and South West zones.

The neutralisation of Kabiru marks a significant blow to organised banditry in the North Central zone and is expected to disrupt operational coordination among criminal elements.