Kogi Foils Arms
Emmanuel Clement.
Lokoja, June 22, 2026 — The Kogi State Government says it has foiled an arms smuggling operation and intercepted a cache of weapons allegedly meant for criminal elements seeking to regroup after suffering major setbacks in recent security operations.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government said the successful operation prevented a planned retaliatory attack by criminal groups following the neutralisation of notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Battijo, on June 10.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out through collaboration among local security operatives under the Kogi State security architecture, Hybrid Forces operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, acting on credible intelligence.
Fanwo disclosed that intelligence reports identified a Golf 2 vehicle allegedly being used to transport arms and ammunition to criminal elements operating within and around Kogi State.
Working with the Sokoto State Government and security agencies in the state, operatives tracked the suspects across state boundaries and placed them under covert surveillance for more than two weeks.
The operation culminated in the arrest of three suspects in Sokoto State, while investigations are ongoing to uncover other members of the alleged arms trafficking network.
Acting on intelligence gathered during the operation, security personnel later intercepted the weapons consignment and impounded the Golf 2 vehicle in Kabba, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Investigator news reports that recovered items include two AK-47 rifles, several AK-47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition and military uniforms suspected to have been intended for use by criminal elements.
Fanwo said intelligence reports indicated that the weapons were being procured to replenish the stockpile of criminal groups weakened by sustained security operations, especially after the killing of Kachalla Battijo following his failed attempt to kidnap students of Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu.
He said the state government had anticipated possible reprisals and immediately intensified intelligence gathering, strengthened surveillance in strategic locations and expanded collaboration with security agencies across the country to detect and neutralise any such plans.
According to him, intelligence available to the government showed that criminal elements hiding in forest locations across parts of the state had suffered significant operational setbacks and were experiencing shortages of arms and ammunition due to sustained pressure from security forces.
He described the interception of the arms consignment as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the proactive security measures introduced by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration.
Fanwo commended local security forces in Kogi State, the Hybrid Forces under ONSA, the Department of State Services (DSS), the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, and the Sokoto State Government for their professionalism and cooperation.
He also lauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, heads of security agencies and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening security institutions and supporting efforts to protect lives and property.
The Commissioner assured residents that there was no cause for alarm, stressing that the administration of Governor Ododo remained committed to deploying intelligence gathering, technology, community engagement and inter-agency collaboration to sustain the fight against insecurity.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, saying the government would continue to frustrate the activities of criminal networks and preserve peace and security across Kogi State.