Northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West region, is grappling with escalating violence attributed to local militias, commonly known as “bandits.”
The conflict, which began in 2011 due to tensions between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists, has worsened in recent years, particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states.
These bandits have instilled fear and chaos in villages, operating with increasing audacity and impunity.
In response, security agencies have intensified their efforts, launching numerous offensives against these criminal elements.
The Nigerian military has also conducted several air strikes targeting bandit strongholds.
In May, Defence Minister, Muhammad Badaru reported significant progress, stating that a coordinated effort among the Service Chiefs and other security agencies had resulted in the elimination of over 9,300 bandits and insurgents, with an additional 7,000 arrested in the past year.
A notable development occurred recently when the Nigerian Army successfully eliminated Kachalla Halilu Sububu, a notorious bandit leader and arms supplier.
Sububu, who was a major figure in the region’s banditry, was known for his operations in the Sububu Forest and his substantial cattle herds. His death is seen as a significant blow to bandit operations in the area.
Despite these efforts, many bandits remain on the Army’s wanted list, continuing to pose a serious threat to regional security.
Here’s a full list of some of the bandits’ leaders who have been killed as confirmed by the military:
1. Halilu Sububu
2. Buhari Alhaji Halidu otherwise known as “Buharin Yadi” – He unleashed terror on citizens in Kidandan/Galadimawa general areas of Giwa LGA, Sabon Birni/Kerawa general areas of Igabi LGA, other locations in nearby Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State, and indeed some parts of Niger and Zamfara states.
3. A kingpin commonly called Dangote was killed in a gun battle with Kachalla Dankarami’s camp along the Dumbunrun Forest between Batsari and Jibia local government areas of Katsina State.
4. Boderi Isyaku – A notorious bandit leader, responsible for the kidnapping of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation and the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna in 2021.
5. Kachalla Dan Chaki
6. Dogo Gudali
7. Dogo Rabe – He was killed in an Air Force strike during an operation to flush out terrorists operating in communities between the Zurmi and Birnin Magaji areas in Zamfara State, and Jibia in Katsina State.
8. Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga – They were killed alongside many of their gang members in a raid on their enclaves at Gusami Forest and Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
9. Rufai Maikaji – He was a deadly bandit who commanded over a hundred fighters in the state.
10. Ya’u – He was killed in an ambush by the troops at a strategic crossing point in Burra, Ningi. He was the leader of the gang which is notorious for using heavy weaponry to instill terror among the residents of Burra and neighbouring communities.
11. Alhaji Karki – He was killed while attempting to overrun a military unit in Niger State. Karki, who once repented but later went back to criminality, had been terrorizing Niger communities and was responsible for killings, arsons and kidnappings in the areas.
12. Bandit leader “Yellow” – He was operating several bandit camps in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states, but was killed following Nigerian Airforce air strikes in Katsina and Zamfara states.