Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have killed three bandits and arrested a man described by the Army as a suspected logistics supplier to bandits during fighting patrols and ambush operations in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, the operations followed credible intelligence.

He said troops were deployed to an identified crossing point, where suspected bandits ran into an ambush position and were engaged.

“In the course of the encounter, troops neutralised two bandits and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, ninety-nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally fabricated gun and eleven cartridges,” Abdullahi said.

He added that further intelligence later revealed movement of bandits around Saminaka village in Yagba West Local Government Area, prompting troops, in conjunction with local vigilantes, to conduct a fighting patrol to the village and adjoining forested areas.

On arrival, the village was found deserted, leading troops to exploit the surrounding forest and routes leading towards the Saminaka–Sabo Rijiya road.

Abdullahi said troops made contact with an unconfirmed number of bandits and engaged them, forcing their withdrawal through the forest. One additional bandit was later killed during exploitation of the area, while one AK-47 rifle and 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

During the operation, troops also arrested a man identified as Sunday Adedotun from Odo Eri village in Yagba West LGA. He was apprehended on a farmland within Saminaka village and is suspected by the Army to be a logistics supplier to bandits.

Items recovered at the settlement included cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce. The suspect claimed he assists farmers in transporting produce after harvest and is currently in custody undergoing investigation.

Commending the troops, the Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, praised their professionalism, courage and timely response to intelligence.

He assured the public that troops would continue to sustain aggressive patrols, ambushes and intelligence-driven operations to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the area.