The Kogi State Government says more than 1,000 stolen livestock have been recovered during coordinated security operations targeting cattle-rustling syndicates and remnants of the criminal network led by the late bandit kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo.
The recovery followed a joint operation involving the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes, and hunters.
According to the state government, the operation focused on dismantling criminal groups involved in cattle rustling across Kogi State and the wider North Central region.
Of the recovered animals, about 200 were traced to the criminal network formerly controlled by the late Battijo, while the remaining livestock were seized from other armed bandit groups operating within Kogi and neighbouring states.
Authorities disclosed that the stolen livestock were being transported through Kogi State for sale, with proceeds allegedly intended to finance further criminal activities, including the purchase of weapons, food supplies, and other operational logistics.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, attributing the success of the operation to credible intelligence gathered and swiftly acted upon by the various security agencies.
According to him, timely intelligence enabled security operatives to monitor the movement of the suspects and launch coordinated offensives before the stolen animals could reach their intended destinations.
Fanwo explained that security personnel confronted the bandits in fierce gun battles at multiple locations during the operation.
He said several suspects were killed during the confrontations, while others escaped with gunshot wounds after abandoning the rustled livestock in an attempt to flee from the superior firepower of the joint security team. The fleeing suspects, he added, are currently being tracked by security operatives.
The commissioner noted that the remnants of Battijo’s criminal network have become increasingly desperate following the death of their leader, as sustained security operations continue to weaken their activities and restrict their movement within Kogi State.
“I can confirm that many of the flies that chose to follow the corpse to the grave have now been buried alongside it, while those who escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds are being actively tracked by our security forces. They will not escape justice,” Fanwo said.
He disclosed that the recovered livestock have been moved to a secure facility in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where authorities are working to identify their rightful owners before returning the animals.
Fanwo commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Police, local vigilantes, and hunters for their professionalism and coordinated efforts, describing the operation as another major breakthrough in Kogi State’s campaign against criminality.
“Our feet will remain firmly on the pedals until we rid Kogi State of criminal elements and restore the confidence of our people to sleep with both eyes closed,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Kogi State Government to sustaining the ongoing offensive against insecurity, adding that the administration would continue to maximise the security support provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect lives and property.
“As a government, we will continue to make the best use of the security resources and support provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle criminality. The President has demonstrated strong commitment to improving national security, and Kogi State is already recording significant gains through this collaboration. We will not relent until every part of our state is safe for our people,” Fanwo stated.
The state government also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, assuring them that all useful information would be treated confidentially and acted upon without delay.
It reiterated that maintaining security is a collective responsibility and pledged to ensure that Kogi State remains hostile to criminal elements while providing a safe environment for law-abiding citizens.
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