President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies involved in the successful operation in Kogi State, where a notorious bandit kingpin, Ibrahim Bastuji, was reportedly eliminated.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the president as describing the operation as a significant blow to criminal networks terrorising communities in Kogi and neighbouring states.

He noted that Bastuji’s reign of violence, kidnapping and attacks on civilians had caused untold hardship for residents, adding that his neutralisation will restore confidence and give respite for residents of the area.

Congratulating the troops, Tinubu said “Nigeria will not surrender any part of its territory to criminals,” adding that “those who choose the path of violence against innocent citizens will find no hiding place. This success reflects the renewed determination of our security forces to secure every inch of our land.”

The president also commended the troops for another successful operation that led to the rescue of the widow of the late former Chief of Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar (rtd). He said the rescue demonstrates a high standard of professionalism and the needed determination to confront forces of evil.

In the meantime, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has disclosed that about 150 convictions have so far been secured within two days of the commencement of this phase of the federal government’s mass trial of terrorism suspects.

Fagbemi, who gave the update in Abuja while speaking with journalists yesterday, said this phase of the trial, which began on Monday, was still ongoing and would continue until tomorrow.

According to him, the exercise recorded about 160 trials, leading to approximately 150 convictions.

In a breakdown, the minister said about 160 trials took place on Monday, with about 150 convictions, while the process continued yesterday with about 300 cases, and another 84 cases are expected to be concluded.

In another development, suspected gunmen on Monday night attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, killing three security operatives to breach the nation’s foremost policy institution.

This is as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma yesterday recorded another major operational success in Sokoto State, rescuing seven kidnapped farmers and recovering motorcycles following a bandit attack on farming communities at Gandi in Rabah Local Council Area.

In Kogi State, the government has also confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Kachala Batijo, who was the alleged mastermind of a recent attack on a school in Iluke Bunu, Kabba/Bunu Local Council Area.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that Batijo was among several bandits killed in a coordinated security operation by Nigerian security forces.