Foil Plot to Kidnap Students Writing WASSCE
- Safiu Kehinde
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised wanted terrorists’ kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, during an intelligence-led operation in Kogi State.
Battijo was reportedly neutralised alongside over 14 other members of his gang during the operation by the troop in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team last week Wednesday.
According to a post shared on X on Monday by security expert, Deji Adesogan, the terrorists’ kingpin identified as the mastermind of the recent church attack in Eruku, Kwara State, was killed during a foiled kidnapping attempt.
The operation dismantled key elements of his network and dealt a major blow to terrorist and kidnapping activities in the North Central region.
Follow-up clearance operations led to the recovery of more than 15 terrorist bodies, including gang members who attempted to flee after the initial encounter.
Meanwhile, Battijo’s body was recovered yesterday by a team from the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, led by Brig. Gen. Karim Sidi.
The terrorist’s body was exhumed for autopsy in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Video attached to the post captured moment the body was airlifted from the forest where it was discovered by the team.
Sidi, in reaction to the development, commended the support of the ONSA, noting that its intelligence and operational assistance contributed significantly to the success of the operation.
Also, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, while briefing NSA Nuhu Ribadu on Monday, disclosed that the operation was driven by actionable intelligence and advanced surveillance assets used to track Battijo and his associates.
Intelligence gathered during the operation also uncovered a plot to attack and abduct students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.