The strengthening of inter-agency coordination under the leadership of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has recorded another major milestone, as Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Monday formally briefed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on the successful operation that led to the elimination of notorious terrorist and bandit kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo.
The meeting at the Office of the National Security Adviser highlighted how enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operational planning and seamless collaboration among security and intelligence agencies have continued to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and deliver tangible results across the country.
Governor Ododo told the NSA that the operation, which culminated in the neutralization of Battijo and the dismantling of a significant part of his criminal network, was the outcome of an intelligence-led security architecture driven by close coordination between the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local security structures and the Kogi State Government.
According to the Governor, sophisticated intelligence assets deployed through the collaborative security framework made it possible to track the movements and activities of Battijo and his gang, leading to the discovery of their plan to attack and abduct students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
Acting swiftly on actionable intelligence generated through the coordinated security network, the Kogi State Government, working with relevant security agencies, relocated the students from a vulnerable location to the heart of Iluke town to ensure their safety while they continued their examinations.
When the terrorists proceeded with their planned assault, troops of the Nigerian military, operating in concert with other security agencies, the Kogi State Vigilante Service and local hunters, mounted a coordinated response and successfully repelled the attack. In the fierce exchange that followed, Battijo was neutralized and several members of his criminal gang were eliminated.
The operation was sustained through a series of follow-up clearance missions coordinated among the participating security agencies. Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Commander, 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, subsequently exhumed the remains of the slain terrorist leader for further examination and intelligence exploitation, while additional members of the gang attempting to regroup around the area were tracked and neutralized.
Security forces also recovered more than fifteen bodies of bandits during the clearance operations, underscoring the scale and effectiveness of the coordinated offensive against the criminal network.
Governor Ododo commended the National Security Adviser for providing the strategic leadership and coordination that have significantly improved synergy among Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies. He noted that the elimination of Battijo was a practical demonstration of how unified planning, intelligence fusion and joint operations under the Office of the National Security Adviser are changing the dynamics of the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The Governor also expressed appreciation to the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services for the professionalism and gallantry displayed by officers and personnel involved in the operation. He further acknowledged the courage and local knowledge of the Kogi State Vigilante Service and the Hunters Group, whose contributions complemented the efforts of federal security agencies.
Governor Ododo equally praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising national security and for empowering the nation’s security institutions through reforms that have enhanced collaboration, intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness.
According to him, the successful elimination of Battijo and the sustained pressure being mounted against criminal elements across the country are evidence that the President’s security initiatives, coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser, are yielding measurable outcomes.
He called on Nigerians to continue supporting the nation’s security institutions, stressing that sustained public cooperation and intelligence sharing remain critical to defeating terrorism, banditry and violent criminality.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to security, the Governor assured the NSA that Kogi State would continue to work closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser and all federal security agencies to deny criminal elements any foothold within the state.
“Kogi State will never be a safe haven for terrorists, bandits or any criminal group. We will continue to collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser and federal security agencies to protect our people and ensure that our territory is not used as a launching pad for attacks on neighbouring states,” Governor Ododo said.
Responding, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu described the elimination of Kachalla Battijo as a major breakthrough in the nation’s ongoing campaign against terrorism and banditry, noting that the operation reflects the growing effectiveness of the integrated security strategy being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The NSA described Battijo as one of the country’s most dangerous terrorist figures and said his neutralization represents a significant setback for criminal networks operating across the North Central region and beyond.
Mallam Ribadu commended Governor Ododo for his resolve and close cooperation with federal authorities, observing that the success of the operation reinforces the importance of strong partnerships between state governments and national security institutions.
He also emphasized the strategic importance of Kogi State to Nigeria’s security architecture because of its position as a gateway linking nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the Office of the National Security Adviser will continue to coordinate efforts to sustain the gains already recorded.
The NSA further noted that the operation is a clear demonstration of the impact of President Tinubu’s security reforms, particularly the enhanced intelligence integration and inter-agency cooperation being driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Governor Ododo was accompanied on the visit by senior security officials and the Kogi State Security Adviser.
