Eight bandit warlords killed by the Nigerian army

Eight bandit warlords killed by the Nigerian army

By Steven Kefas and Segun Onibiyo

Bandit Kingpin Bello Turji (center behind mask) pictured with his lieutenants in a Zamfara town. Credit: Bello Turji.

(Kaduna) Security experts say it is a decisive blow to the command and control structure of the 30,000 radical bandits in the northwestern region of Nigeria.

Just three days after bandit warlords negotiated in a small group on September 17 to elect a new boss of bosses – in the style of mafia families in the United States, the combined Nigerian Army, Air Force (NAF) and local volunteers swooped in . As they expanded in eight different directions, the soldiers ambushed them in their hideouts in Zamfara, killing dozens of gang members at the same time. The operation could mark a pivotal moment in the country’s fight against insurgents and organized crime, security expert Dr Walid told TruthNigeria.

“The joint operation targeted prominent bandit leaders, each commanding more than 200 fighters, and dealt a decisive blow to the organizational structure of these criminal networks,” wrote a respected counter-terrorism expert. Zagazola Makama in an X-post on Friday, September 20, 2024.

According to Zagazola, an expert in detecting and reporting the activities of terrorists in the Lake Chad region, “the eliminated rulers, known for their reign of terror in the region, include:

1. Kacalla Ɗan Baleri, whose camp was located in Sabon Mashekari, Batauna village, Shinkafi province.

2. Kacalla Dogo Kwaɗɗi, operating around Isa County.

3. Lawalli Dodo, located in Filinga village, Shinkafi province.

4. Kacalla Naguru, also operating from Filinga, Shinkafi County.

5. Kacalla Ɗan-Babirki, whose camp was at Fankama, near the village of Rudunu, Maradun County.

6. Kacalla Hana-Zuwa, located in Jajjaye, Tubali Region, Shinkafi Province

7. Kacalla Adamu, active in Maradun County

8. Kachallah Buzu, also known as Sububu.

The precision strikes not only neutralized these high-value targets, but also resulted in the elimination of dozens of their fighters, significantly weakening the operational capabilities of the bandit groups.”

Nigerian soldiers practice cable descent from a hovering helicopter. courtesy: Nigerian Air Force.

This recent success builds on previous achievements of the Nigerian Army. Just last week, two other prominent leaders, Kachalla Halilu Sububu and Kachalla Baleri Fakai, were also assassinated, further dismantling the leadership structure of these criminal organizations. Sububuwho is considered a mentor to the infamous Kachalla Bello Turji, is said to command deep respect among terrorist gangs and has links with jihadists in the Sahel and the Lake Chad region.

The operation against the bandit kings took place barely 72 hours after they converged on the compound of Halilu Sububu to electing a new leader, during which Sububu was felled by a bullet in the forehead.

The successful operation showcases the enhanced capabilities and improved intelligence collection of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The collaboration between the army, air force and local “vigilantes” (voluntary self-defense groups) highlights a more integrated approach to combating insecurity in the region, Abdullahi said. This kind of coordination was lacking during Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, when terrorists operating in the Northwest and other parts of the country held communities for ransom for years.

Dr. Walid Abdullahi, a security expert based in Birnin-Kebbi, stressed the importance of these operations for both Nigeria and the wider Sahel region. “The elimination of these kingpins is a great victory not only for Nigeria but for the entire Sahel,” he told TruthNigeria.

“These criminal networks often operate across borders, and their activities have destabilized communities across the region. By dismantling their leadership, Nigeria is contributing to the security of the entire West African sub-region.”

The impact of this operation is expected to be far-reaching. Banditry is a persistent problem in northwestern Nigeria, which has led to widespread displacement, economic disruption and loss of life. “The neutralization of these key figures is expected to create a power vacuum within the bandit groups, potentially leading to infighting and a reduction in their overall effectiveness,” Dr Abdullahi said.

This development represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, Nigeria’s stability is critical to regional security and global economic interests. The success of these operations demonstrates Nigeria’s growing ability to address its internal security challenges, potentially reducing the need for international intervention, Abdullahi said.

However, security analysts warn that while this is a major victory, sustained efforts will be needed to completely eradicate the menace of banditry.

“The challenge now,” explains Dr. Abdullahi explains, “is to take advantage of this momentum. The military must continue to put pressure on these groups while the government addresses the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and lack of economic opportunities in the affected regions.”

As news of the operation spread, there is a palpable sense of relief among communities that have long lived under the shadow of banditry. Local leaders in Zamfara state have expressed cautious optimism, with many calling for continued military presence to prevent a resurgence of criminal activity.

Mallam Saleh Shinkafi, a community leader in Filinga, told TruthNigeria that it is a bittersweet experience for them. “For us in Filinga, we are both happy and scared because the bandits have shown over time that they can regroup and come back to attack communities.”

Yet neither military spokesmen nor security experts have publicly explained why, despite multiple victories over bandit kings in Zamfara, Niger and Katsina states in the past 12 months, mass killings of farming communities in Plateau and Benue states continue unabated.

Sources in the North West have told TruthNigeria that the ethnic massacres in the North Central States are linked to bandit gangs in Zamfara. Only time will tell whether the removal of the top bandit leadership will be noticed in the killing fields of the North Central States.

Steven Kefas and Segun Onibiyo are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.

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