Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, have recorded major operational gains after coordinated fighting patrols and ambushes conducted on 3 January 2026 across parts of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
During the encounter, two bandits were neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 99 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally fabricated firearm and 11 cartridges.
In a related operation, further intelligence pointed to bandit activity around Saminaka village in Yagba West LGA. Troops, working in conjunction with local vigilantes, carried out a fighting patrol into the village and adjoining forested areas. On arrival, the village was found deserted, prompting troops to dismount and conduct a detailed sweep of the surrounding forest and routes leading towards the Saminaka–Sabo Rijiya road.
Troops later made contact with an unconfirmed number of bandits and engaged them, resulting in the criminals withdrawing into the forest. During follow-up exploitation, troops traced the withdrawal route and discovered one neutralised bandit, an AK-47 rifle and 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
In the course of the same operation, troops also arrested a suspected bandits’ logistics supplier, identified as Sunday Adedotun, from Odo Eri village in Yagba West LGA. The suspect was apprehended on a farmland within Saminaka village. Items recovered at the location included cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing investigation.
The Commander of 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and swift response to actionable intelligence. He assured residents that the Brigade would continue to sustain aggressive patrols, ambushes and intelligence-led operations to deny criminal elements and their support networks freedom of action in the area.
