Security Forces Target Notorious Bandit in Kogi State
The Nigerian security apparatus, comprising the Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and local civil servants, launched a decisive operation against notorious bandit kingpin Ibrahim Bastuzi and his crew on Wednesday. Their aim was to thwart an imminent attack on schools and residents in Iluke Bunu, located in Kaba Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Ambush Operation Results in Casualties
According to security sources, the coordinated effort, which included local vigilante groups, successfully neutralized several bandits. Initial reports suggest that Bastuzi himself may have been killed during the ambush, marking a significant victory for law enforcement in the region.
Intelligence Leads to Targeted Action
Officials stated that the operation was executed swiftly following intelligence reports received by the DSS. Bastuzi was reportedly planning to kidnap schoolchildren as hostages in a bid to secure the release of family members currently held in custody. His criminal activities have left a significant mark across the North Central region, demonstrating a pattern of escalated violence and terror.
History of Violent Attacks
Bastuzi is implicated in a series of organized attacks, including a deadly assault on a church in Ori Oke Ijayi, Ekiti Local Government Area, in May 2026. This incident resulted in three fatalities and the abduction of 15 worshippers. Additionally, he is wanted for a December 2025 attack on the First Evangelical Church Victory All Church (ECWA) in Kogi State, which left one person dead and 20 others kidnapped.
Escalating Criminal Activity
His violent spree continued with an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Elku, Ekiti State, on November 18, 2025, claiming two lives and holding 38 individuals captive. Earlier in 2025, he was involved in the abduction of 24 people, including four Chinese expatriates, showcasing the international ramifications of his criminal enterprise. In April 2026, he was again implicated in kidnappings and road closures that resulted in multiple casualties along the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway.
New Base Established Amid Security Pressure
As sustained security operations intensified, Bastuzi and his gang were forced to relocate their operations to the Asawa Mountains in Kogi LGA, close to Koton Kaafe. From this new base, they continued to orchestrate kidnappings and other violent acts along the Kogi-Kwara corridor, further destabilizing the already vulnerable region.
Community Leaders Lend Support to Security Efforts
The removal of Ibrahim Bastuzi is seen as a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to restore stability in the Kogi-Kwara region and the broader North-Central area. Community leader Bello Abdullahi emphasized that Bastuzi’s death dismantles a long-standing criminal network that has been responsible for widespread acts of terrorism, mass kidnappings, and the tragic deaths of innocent civilians and security personnel alike.
