The Nigerian Army has announced the k!lling of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Balla, and

five members of his gang in Kogi State.

Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, who confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, September 7, 2025 said troops also rescued a kidnapped father and his two children. 

“In a sustained effort to rid Kogi State of banditry and other contemporary security challenges while restoring peace in troubled communities, troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have continued to record significant gains in the ongoing Operation EGWUA A TITE II in Kogi State,” the statement read. 

“The operation which commenced on 1 September 2025 has already recorded notable successes. During the operation, troops of 126 Battalion, led by the Commanding Officer and in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF) came in contact with bandits along their axis of advance in Tunga general area. During the fire fight two bandits were neutralized. 

“In an effort to boost troops’ morale, the commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Accord III Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, led the exploitation further along axis of advance leading to destruction of several several bandits’ settlements while dominating the general area with patrols and ambushes. 

“On 2 September 2025, acting on credible intelligence, troops with close air support from 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, launched an air combat mission to Ankomi, engaging fleeing bandits on sight and neutralizing scores. 

“In a related development, troops of 126 Battalion, led by the Commanding Officer, on 3 September 2025 conducted clearance operations in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba communities. 

“During the operation, one Mr. Pabo Suleiman and his two children were successfully rescued. The rescued victims had since been reunited with their family members. 

“Additionally, five locally made dane guns were recovered during. Notably, on 5 September 2025, during a fierce gun battle at a bandits’ hideout ahead of Tunga, intelligence confirmed that Kachalla Bala, a notorious bandit commander, and five others were neutralized. 

“On the same day, troops in conjunction with OHF also conducted a successful ambush operation along a suspected bandits’ main supply route at Agbede–Adankoo Bridge (Mosalanci Boka), where a bandit logistics courier was neutralized.

“Items recovered during the ambush included one motorcycle, two mobile phones, and one AK-47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. 

“Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have reiterated its commitment to rid Kogi State and adjoining areas of banditry, criminality, and other security threats. 

The ongoing Operation EGWUA A TITE II continues to yield positive results, and troops will remain resolute in restoring peace and security in the region.”