Northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West region, has experienced escalating violence, largely driven by the activities of armed groups known locally as “bandits.”
The roots of the conflict in northwestern Nigeria date back to 2011, following disputes between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists. Over the years, banditry in the states of Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina has worsened, with bandits terrorizing villages with little resistance.
Security forces have continued their efforts to combat banditry and terrorism in the region. Military jets have conducted airstrikes on bandit strongholds, and ground operations have intensified.
In May, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, reported that improved coordination among service chiefs and other agencies had resulted in the killing of over 9,300 bandits and insurgents, with 7,000 others arrested in the past year.
Recently, a major military operation led to the killing of Kachalla Halilu Sububu, a notorious bandit leader and arms supplier. Sububu controlled a large mining site in Dan-Kamfani, Anka Local Government Area, and owned thousands of cattle in the Sububu Forest, a key location for bandit activities.
Several high-profile bandits have been eliminated in military operations, with many others still on the Army’s wanted list. Some of the prominent bandit leaders killed include:
- Halilu Sububu
- Buhari Alhaji Halidu, also known as “Buharin Yadi,” who terrorized areas across Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Zamfara states.
- Dangote, a kingpin killed in a gunfight in Katsina State.
- Boderi Isyaku, responsible for the 2021 kidnapping of 39 students and the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.
- Kachalla Dan Chaki
- Dogo Gudali
- Dogo Rabe, killed in an Air Force strike in Zamfara State.
- Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga, killed during a raid on their enclaves in Gusami Forest and Tsamre village, Zamfara State.
- Rufai Maikaji, who commanded over 100 fighters in the region.
- Ya’u, killed in an ambush at Burra, Ningi.
- Alhaji Karki, who returned to banditry after initially repenting, was killed while trying to overrun a military unit in Niger State.
- Yellow, a bandit leader with multiple camps in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina, was eliminated in airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force.
These operations represent ongoing efforts by the military to curb the violence in the northwest region.