The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a large-scale joint security operation that neutralized scores of bandits and destroyed multiple criminal camps over January 10–11.
Official statements say a combined force of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Military carried out coordinated ground assaults, supported by precision air strikes from the police Air Wing. The operation targeted forested hideouts believed to serve as operational bases for bandit groups, particularly in Kogi West, where kidnappings and attacks have surged.
Police said several camps were dismantled and criminal networks disrupted, with many armed suspects killed. Exact locations were withheld to safeguard ongoing operations. Authorities urged residents to report suspicious gunshot wounds and released dedicated emergency numbers to aid intelligence gathering.
The offensive follows a spike in insecurity late in 2025, including church attacks and kidnappings. Analysts describe the action as one of the state’s most significant counter-banditry operations in recent years, with further operations expected as security forces maintain pressure to restore normalcy.
