By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
Troops of the Nigerian Army have carried out an operation deep inside a forest in Kogi State to recover the remains of a suspected notorious bandit leader, Ibrahim Battijo, for further investigation and autopsy.
The operation was led by the Commander of the 12 Brigade in Lokoja, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, who directed soldiers to the forest area around Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
Security sources revealed that the exhumation became necessary to facilitate forensic examinations aimed at confirming circumstances surrounding the death of the suspected criminal kingpin.
Battijo was reportedly killed on June 10, 2026, during a military encounter that foiled an attempted mass abduction of students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Iluke community.
According to reports from security analyst Zagazola Makama, the bandit leader and his gang had planned to kidnap several students during the examination period before troops intervened and successfully disrupted the operation.
Makama disclosed that military personnel embarked on the latest mission to retrieve the body from its burial location within the forest, allowing authorities to conduct necessary forensic procedures.
The development is being viewed as part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to strengthen investigations into criminal activities and dismantle bandit networks operating within the region.
Residents of the area have continued to commend the military for preventing the planned abduction, describing the intervention as a major relief for students, parents, and the wider community.
Security operations against banditry and kidnapping continue across several parts of the country as authorities intensify efforts to restore peace and protect lives.
