In a significant development in the fight against banditry, Nigerian troops have neutralised a notorious bandit leader, ‘Yellow Aboki’, in Zamfara State. The military operation, which took place in the northern part of the state, is seen as another major success in the ongoing battle to rid Nigeria’s northwest region of criminal elements.
The news was shared by Zagazola Makama, a renowned counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, who posted the update on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday. According to Makama, security sources revealed that Yellow Aboki was killed in a recent encounter with troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in the North West of Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara.
Makama, who has been tracking the activities of bandits and insurgents in Nigeria, explained that Yellow Aboki had long been a feared figure in the criminal underworld of northwest Nigeria. He was a close ally of the late bandit kingpin, Hassan Bamamu, a notorious terror leader who was also eliminated by the military just a week earlier.
The joint operations conducted by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have led to a series of successful strikes against key figures in the criminal networks that have terrorised parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and other states in the region.
Yellow Aboki’s elimination represents a significant blow to the operations of armed bandits in Zamfara and surrounding areas. Following the death of his close associate, Hassan Bamamu, Yellow Aboki had been working to consolidate his control over criminal activities in the region. Sources indicate that he had been coordinating violent attacks and kidnappings in several areas, including Bamamu, Dan Mali, Agamalafiya, and Makera.
“The sustained pressure on bandit kingpins in identified enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other troubled areas in the North West has significantly diminished the capacity of the bandits to confront the troops. As a result, they have resorted to pockets of attacks within vulnerable communities with less security coverage,” said Makama in his post.
The counter-insurgency expert went on to explain that Yellow Aboki was not only involved in armed banditry but also in orchestrating the illegal kidnapping and extortion of residents, particularly in the rural areas of Zamfara. These areas, often lacking adequate security, had become hotspots for criminal activity, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to live without fear of attacks or abductions.
The recent elimination of Yellow Aboki follows another key victory for the Nigerian military in the form of Hassan Dantawaye, also known as Bamamu. Hassan Bamamu, another notorious bandit leader, was a close associate of Yellow Aboki, and his death has significantly disrupted the leadership structure of the armed bandit groups operating in the region.
Bamamu was responsible for numerous violent attacks and was one of the top bandit commanders in the northwest. His death, alongside that of Yellow Aboki, is expected to destabilise the operations of the criminal groups who relied on these leaders for coordination and strategic planning.
Makama added that the military’s successful operations, which included intelligence-led strikes and ground assaults, have had a considerable effect on the power of these bandit factions. He noted that with the elimination of key leaders like Bamamu and Yellow Aboki, the criminal groups have struggled to maintain their grip on the region and are now resorting to smaller, more isolated attacks on vulnerable communities.
The success of these operations is a testament to the commitment of the Nigerian military and other security forces in combating the growing menace of banditry in the northwest. Operation FANSAN YANMA, which was responsible for neutralising Yellow Aboki, is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the leadership of the bandit groups and restore security to the affected states.
The Nigerian Army has been intensifying its operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina, areas that have seen some of the most intense criminal activity in recent years. These regions have been plagued by armed groups who engage in kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, cattle rustling, and violent attacks on villages.
While the military’s recent successes are being hailed as a major step forward, security experts and officials have warned that much work remains to be done to fully defeat the bandit groups. The groups are known to be highly mobile and operate in difficult terrain, making them hard to track and neutralise completely. However, experts agree that the recent victories have significantly weakened their ability to operate on a large scale.
