VIDEO: Synergy in action: Army–police joint offensive cripples bandit networks in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
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In the dense forests and rugged terrains of Kogi State, a new operational template is quietly reshaping Nigeria’s internal security response. The ongoing joint offensive by the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force has not only neutralised several bandits but also dismantled their operational networks, illustrating the power of inter-agency synergy.
The coordinated operations, backed by the Nigeria Police Force Airwing, have forced criminal elements out of long-held hideouts, denying them freedom of movement and disrupting their command-and-control structures.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, CSP William Ovye Aya, the sustained onslaught is being executed with “vigour, commitment and utmost professionalism,” pointing to a rare depth of cooperation between ground and air assets across services.
Beyond official statements, visual evidence from the theatre of operations has further reinforced the narrative of seamless collaboration. In a widely circulated operational video, ground troops were seen conducting mop-up operations while a police helicopter provided aerial fire support. At a critical moment, a police operative was observed engaging targets from the helicopter, synchronised with advancing troops on the ground, an image that vividly captured jointness not just in planning, but in execution.
This level of integration marks a significant evolution from past operations often criticised for siloed approaches. In Kogi, intelligence sharing, joint planning and real-time coordination have enabled forces to apply pressure simultaneously overwhelming bandit cells and compelling survivors to abandon their camps.
