A feared terrorist kingpin, Yellow Danbokkolo, has been confirmed dead following a weeklong military offensive by troops of Operation Fasin Yamma in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that the operation was executed in collaboration with hybrid forces, air components, and other security agencies, based on credible intelligence.
Kangye said, “During the encounter, a notorious terrorist kingpin, known as Yellow Danbokkolo, who for years has devastated residents of Eastern Sokoto, suffered serious gunshot wounds.
“He subsequently died on Monday from the injuries sustained during the fierce battle with our troops.”
According to the military, Danbokkolo was considered even more dangerous than Bello Turji, another infamous terror leader.
He was said to be the mastermind of the December 2021 mass murder in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where dozens of travellers were burnt alive.
“It is believed that Yellow Danbokkolo was much more dreaded than Bello Turji,” Kangye added.
Kangye also revealed that the late kingpin allegedly lived on pentazocine, a powerful painkiller, to sustain the stamina for his “cruelty and heinous activities.”
“The neutralised kingpin lived on endless bouts of pentazocine so as to sustain his cruelty and heinous activities,” the statement noted.
The military further disclosed that its troops were closing in on Bello Turji, who is reportedly in hiding.
Turji has been on the military’s radar for years over his role in violent attacks and killings in the Northwest.
“With the renewed resolve, troops are on the hunt for Bello Turji, who had been in hiding,” Kangye said.
The Defence Headquarters assured Nigerians of its commitment to restoring peace in the region and urged citizens to support security agencies by sharing timely intelligence.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to restoring normalcy in all parts of the country and, therefore, calls for the cooperation of all Nigerians in this drive,” Kangye appealed.