KOGI STATE, NIGERIA — Nigerian security forces have confirmed the death of a notorious bandit leader accused of orchestrating kidnappings across central Nigeria after a failed attempt to abduct dozens of students taking a national examination in Kogi State.
The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Aliyu, widely known by the aliases Ibrahim Baccujo or Battijo, was killed during a June 10 gun battle with military forces responding to an attempted mass kidnapping in Iluke, a rural community in Kogi State. Authorities later launched an operation to recover and exhume his body from a remote forest for forensic examination and autopsy. (Daily Post)
According to military and intelligence reports, armed bandits stormed a school in Iluke where students were sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a critical graduation exam taken by high school students across several West African countries.
Security sources said the attackers had rounded up students and residents and were preparing to move them to an undisclosed location when troops from the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade responded to a distress call and engaged the gunmen in a fierce firefight.
The military operation resulted in the deaths of two suspected bandits, including Baccujo. Security officials said the attackers managed to remove Baccujo’s body from the scene as they retreated, while troops recovered the body of another slain suspect. Reports indicate that one soldier was wounded during the battle, while three civilians, including a teacher and a child, were killed by fleeing gunmen. (Daily Post)
The attempted abduction highlights the continuing security challenges facing Nigeria, where armed criminal groups—commonly referred to as “bandits”—have increasingly targeted schools, highways, and rural communities for mass kidnappings and ransom payments.
In a significant follow-up operation on Monday, troops led by Brigadier General Karim Sidi, commander of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade in Lokoja, entered a dense forest near Iluke and exhumed Baccujo’s remains for forensic analysis. Military officials said the examination is intended to formally establish the circumstances of his death and support ongoing investigations into his criminal network. (Daily Post)
The Kogi State Police Command subsequently confirmed that intelligence findings showed Baccujo died from injuries sustained during the confrontation with joint security forces. Police also confirmed the death of another notorious bandit leader, Isa Mai Dabbaba, during the same operation. (X (formerly Twitter))
In a statement, police officials described the outcome as evidence of growing cooperation among the Nigerian Army, Police Force, and other security agencies operating in the state. The command praised the coordinated response and credited ongoing collaboration among security services for disrupting criminal activities in the region. (X (formerly Twitter))
Intelligence intercepts reportedly provided additional confirmation of Baccujo’s death. According to security sources, communications among suspected bandit associates on the day of the attack indicated that the gang leader had been killed during the failed operation targeting students. Analysts monitoring criminal networks in the region described the loss of Baccujo and Mai Dabbaba as a major blow to kidnapping syndicates operating across Kogi State and neighboring areas. (Daily Post)
Security experts caution, however, that eliminating individual leaders does not automatically dismantle the broader criminal networks responsible for kidnappings and violent attacks. They argue that sustained intelligence operations and continued military pressure will be required to prevent replacement leaders from emerging.
Nigerian authorities have since increased security patrols around Iluke and surrounding communities to ensure students can continue their examinations without further disruption. Officials say additional measures are being implemented to protect schools and rural communities that remain vulnerable to attacks.
Sources:
- Zagazola Makama: https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/bandit-kingpin-ibrahim-baccujo-several-others-killed-as-troops-foil-school-abduction-in-kogi
- Daily Post: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/16/troops-storms-kogi-forest-to-exhume-body-of-notorious-bandit-kingpin-ibrahim-battijo-video/
- Independent Nigeria: https://independent.ng/kogi-police-command-confirms-notorious-bandits-death/
- Nigerian Tribune: https://tribuneonlineng.com/army-exhumes-body-of-suspected-bandit-leader-in-kogi/
