Kogi Intercepts Arms Shipment, Arrests Suspects In Anti-Bandit Crackdown

The Kogi State Government has announced the interception of a cache of arms and ammunition allegedly destined for criminal elements seeking to destabilise the state, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.

The government said the operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving local security operatives under the state’s security architecture, the Hybrid Forces operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, following actionable intelligence.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed that intelligence reports had identified a Volkswagen Golf 2 vehicle being used to transport the weapons to criminal elements operating within and around Kogi State.

According to him, security agencies, working closely with the Sokoto State Government and security operatives in the state, tracked the movement of the suspects across state boundaries while maintaining covert surveillance for more than two weeks.

The operation culminated in the arrest of three suspects in Sokoto State, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the arms trafficking network.

Fanwo said intelligence gathered during the operation enabled security operatives to intercept the weapons consignment and impound the Golf 2 vehicle in Kabba, the headquarters of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Items recovered from the suspects included two AK-47 rifles, several AK-47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition and military uniforms believed to have been intended for use by criminal groups.

According to the commissioner, intelligence reports indicated that the weapons were meant to replenish the stockpile of criminal elements that had suffered significant losses during recent security operations, particularly following the neutralisation of notorious bandit leader Kachalla Battijo on June 10, 2026, after an attempted abduction of students of Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu.

The state government said it had anticipated possible retaliatory attacks and attempts by fleeing criminals to regroup and rearm, prompting intensified intelligence gathering, expanded surveillance and stronger collaboration with security agencies across the country.

It noted that the successful interception demonstrated that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remained proactive and ahead of criminal networks seeking to undermine peace and security in the state.

The government commended local security forces, the Hybrid Forces under ONSA, the Department of State Services (DSS), and officers and men of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism and effective coordination during the operation.

It also expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State Government and security agencies in the state for their support, while praising the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and heads of security agencies for strengthening intelligence-driven operations nationwide.

The administration further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enhancing the capacity of security institutions and sub-national governments to safeguard lives and property.

Fanwo assured residents that there was no cause for alarm, stressing that security agencies had intensified surveillance and operations across strategic locations to consolidate gains recorded in the fight against insecurity.