Security forces in Nigeria have reportedly neutralised notorious bandit leader Kachalla Kabiru and several of his key lieutenants during a coordinated operation in Kogi State. The operation involved the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, and precision airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force.
According to intelligence sources, the operation, carried out on February 13, 2026, followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering that confirmed Kabiru’s presence at a designated hideout. Officials described the strike as a decisive blow against organized banditry in the North Central region.
Kachalla Kabiru, originally from Nigeria’s North West, had been active in Kogi State for over a decade, building a sprawling criminal network that coordinated kidnappings, armed attacks, and the movement of fighters and weapons across multiple states, including Kwara, Benue, Enugu, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo. He was considered a central figure in linking bandit groups across regional boundaries.
Intelligence sources noted that Kabiru’s neutralisation is expected to significantly disrupt operational coordination among criminal elements and weaken the logistical support that enabled widespread banditry across North Central and parts of South West Nigeria.
Officials highlighted that the success of the mission underscores the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration and precision strikes in combating organized crime and improving regional security.
