Identities Of Bandit Commanders Killed During Failed School Attack In Kogi Revealed

Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled an attempted mass abduction of students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and residents of Iluke community in Kogi State, killing two suspected bandits, including a notorious gang leader identified as Ibrahim Aliyu, popularly known as Baccujo or Battijo.

Security sources said the attack occurred on June 10 in Iluke, Bunu community, located in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.

According to the sources, heavily armed bandits stormed a school where students were sitting for their examinations and reportedly held several students and community members hostage.

The attackers were said to have assembled their captives and were preparing to move them to an unknown destination when troops of the 12 Brigade responded to a distress call.

The soldiers reportedly engaged the assailants in a fierce gun battle, disrupting the planned abduction.

“The bandits had already taken control of the school and some members of the community and were attempting to move the victims when troops arrived and engaged them,” a security source told Zagagola Makama.

The source added that two bandits were killed during the operation.

Among those reportedly killed was Ibrahim Aliyu, a notorious bandit commander believed to have coordinated several kidnapping operations in Kogi State and neighbouring areas.

“Two bandits were neutralised during the encounter, including the notorious leader Ibrahim Aliyu, popularly known as Baccujo or Battijo,” the source stated.

However, the attackers reportedly succeeded in evacuating the body of the gang leader during their retreat, while troops recovered the corpse of the second slain bandit.

The operation was not without casualties.

A soldier reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and is receiving treatment.

Security sources also disclosed that three civilians, including a teacher and a minor, were killed by the fleeing bandits during the attack.

Following the incident, troops intensified security operations in the area and launched domination patrols to prevent further attacks and ensure that students continued their examinations without disruption.

Fresh intelligence intercepted by security agencies reportedly corroborated reports of Baccujo’s death.

Sources familiar with the intelligence said monitored communications among suspected bandit associates revealed discussions confirming that the gang leader died during the failed operation.

According to the intercepted conversations, a suspected bandit identified as Tukuri informed his associates that Baccujo was killed while attempting to kidnap students.

In another communication, Tukuri allegedly disclosed that another bandit commander, Isa Mai Dabbaba, was also killed during a military operation, while Baccujo was reportedly shot by a vigilante operative during the failed raid.

Security analysts described the development as a major setback for criminal networks operating within Kogi State and neighbouring areas.

They noted that the elimination of key commanders could disrupt ongoing kidnapping activities and weaken the operational capacity of the affected groups.

However, they cautioned that sustained military pressure and intelligence-driven operations would be required to prevent the emergence of replacement leaders and dismantle wider criminal networks.