The Nigerian military has intensified its campaign against banditry in Northern Nigeria, leading to the deaths of several notorious bandit leaders. The North-West region, plagued by violence between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists since 2011, has seen escalating chaos in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina.
In recent operations, the military has achieved significant success, including a major strike that resulted in the death of Kachalla Halilu Sububu, a prominent bandit leader and arms supplier known for his activities in the Sububu Forest. Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru reported that over 9,300 bandits and insurgents have been eliminated, with an additional 7,000 arrested in the past year alone.
Here’s a list of some of the key bandit leaders recently killed by the Nigerian military:
- Kachalla Halilu Sububu – Known for his operations in the Sububu Forest and large cattle herds.
- Buhari Alhaji Halidu (Buharin Yadi) – Terrorized areas in Giwa LGA, Sabon Birni/Kerawa in Igabi LGA, and other parts of Katsina and Zamfara states.
- Dangote – Killed in a clash with Kachalla Dankarami’s camp in the Dumbunrun Forest.
- Boderi Isyaku – Responsible for kidnapping 39 students from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation and attacking the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna in 2021.
- Kachalla Dan Chaki – Another significant bandit leader.
- Dogo Gudali – Notorious bandit leader.
- Dogo Rabe – Killed in an Air Force strike targeting terrorists between Zurmi and Birnin Magaji in Zamfara and Jibia in Katsina.
- Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga – Killed in a raid on their enclaves in Gusami Forest and Tsamre village in Zamfara.
- Rufai Maikaji – Commanded over a hundred fighters and was a prominent bandit leader.
- Ya’u – Killed in an ambush at a strategic crossing point in Burra, Ningi. Known for using heavy weaponry to terrorize local residents.
- Alhaji Karki – Killed while attacking a military unit in Niger State; previously repented but returned to banditry.
- Bandit leader “Yellow” – Killed following Nigerian Airforce strikes in Zamfara and Katsina.
Despite these victories, the military acknowledges that many bandits remain on their wanted list, continuing to threaten regional security.