NSA-Led Operation in Kogi Exhumes Remains of Suspected Bandit Leader for Investigation

Security operatives, in a major operation coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), have reportedly exhumed the remains of a suspected bandit leader, Ibrahim Battijo, from a remote forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State for autopsy and further investigation.

The operation was led by the Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Brigadier General Karim Sidi, alongside troops and other security personnel who reportedly penetrated the difficult terrain to recover the remains.

According to security sources, Battijo was allegedly neutralized during a failed mass abduction attempt targeting students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Iluke on June 10, 2026.

Authorities said the decision to exhume the remains forms part of ongoing efforts to gather forensic evidence, establish facts surrounding the incident, and deepen investigations into criminal networks operating within the region.

Security officials described the operation as a demonstration of the government's commitment to tackling insecurity beyond direct military engagements. They noted that intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and criminal network disruption remain critical components of the country's counter-banditry strategy.

According to the sources, the autopsy and related investigations are expected to provide valuable information that could assist security agencies in identifying associates, operational patterns, and support structures linked to criminal activities in the area.

The operation comes amid intensified security efforts across several states affected by banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. Kogi State has in recent years strengthened collaboration with federal security agencies to combat criminal elements operating in forested and border communities.

Security analysts say the latest development highlights the increasing use of intelligence-driven operations and forensic investigations in Nigeria's fight against organized crime.

Officials maintain that ongoing efforts are aimed at not only neutralizing criminal threats but also dismantling the networks that enable their operations and threaten the safety of communities across the country.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not released additional details regarding the findings of the ongoing investigation.