Bandit Kingpin Ibrahim Baccujo, Several Others Killed as Troops Foil School Abduction in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled an attempted mass abduction of students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and members of a community in Kogi State, killing two bandits, including a notorious gang leader identified as Ibrahim Aliyu, also known as Baccujo or Battijo.
Security sources said the attack occurred on June 10 at Iluke, Bunu community in Kaba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state, where armed bandits stormed a school and held students sitting for their examinations hostage alongside some residents.
The sources disclosed that the assailants had gathered the victims and were preparing to move them to an unknown destination when troops of the 12 Brigade swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
According to the sources, the ensuing firefight led to the neutralisation of two bandits, including Ibrahim Aliyu, a notorious bandit commander believed to have coordinated several kidnapping operations within the region.
“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.
“Two bandits were neutralised during the encounter, including the notorious leader Ibrahim Aliyu, popularly known as Baccujo or Battijo. The criminals, however, succeeded in evacuating the body of their leader while troops recovered the corpse of the second neutralised bandit,” a security source said.
The operation was, however, not without casualties.
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One soldier sustained a gunshot wound during the exchange of fire, while three civilians, including a teacher and a minor, were reportedly killed by the fleeing bandits.
Troops have since intensified security presence in the area and commenced domination patrols to forestall further attacks and ensure that students continue their examinations without disruption.
Meanwhile, fresh intelligence intercepted by security agencies appears to corroborate reports of the bandit leader’s death.
Sources familiar with the intelligence said monitored communications among suspected bandit associates on June 10 revealed discussions confirming the death of Ibrahim Baccujo.
According to the intercepted conversations, one suspect identified as Tukuri informed his associates that Baccujo died during an expedition to kidnap students.
In another communication monitored later the same day, Tukuri reportedly disclosed that another bandit leader, Isa Mai Dabbaba, was killed by military troops, while Baccujo was shot by a vigilante operative during the failed operation.
Security analysts described the development as a major setback for criminal networks operating around Kogi and neighbouring states, noting that the elimination of key commanders could disrupt ongoing kidnapping activities in the region.
They, however, cautioned that sustained military pressure and intelligence-driven operations would be required to prevent the emergence of replacement leaders and dismantle the wider criminal networks.
The attempted abduction at Iluke has again highlighted the persistent threat posed by armed groups to educational institutions despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to secure schools across the country.
Authorities have continued to assure residents that measures are being strengthened to protect schools and vulnerable communities from attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.