Kogi gov’t recovers 1,000 rustled livestock from bandit gang

The Kogi State Government and a joint coalition of military and intelligence forces have recovered nearly 1,000 rustled livestock.

The coordinated operation successfully targeted remnants of the late bandit kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo’s criminal network and other active syndicates operating across the North Central region.

The recovered livestock include over 200 animals traced directly to the network of the late Battijo, while the rest were retrieved from various armed bandits.

The syndicates had attempted to transport the stolen cattle through Kogi State to sell them and fund further criminal operations.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, revealed that the successes were driven by timely, credible intelligence.

This allowed security operatives to track the bandits’ movements and launch decisive offensives before the livestock could be sold.

Acting on the intelligence that the groups planned to use the proceeds to procure arms and logistics, security forces engaged the bandits in fierce gun battles across multiple locations. Several criminals were neutralized, while others fled with bullet wounds, abandoning the livestock in their retreat. Those who escaped are currently being actively trailed.

Fanwo emphasized that the remnants of Battijo’s gang have become increasingly desperate following the elimination of their kingpin, as sustained pressure continues to dismantle their logistics networks and deny them freedom of operation.

“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 are currently being held in a secure location within the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area while proper arrangements are made to identify the rightful owners and ensure a prompt return.

The Commissioner also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services. He also lauded the frontline military personnel, police, local vigilantes, and hunters for their seamless collaboration and bravery, calling the operation a major milestone.

“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 stated.

Fanwo reiterated the state government’s commitment to sustaining the offensive, highlighting that the administration will continue to maximize the security resources and robust support provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguard lives and property.

The State Government urged residents to maintain their support for security agencies by providing timely and credible information, reassuring the public that all tips would be handled with the utmost confidentiality.