The Nigerian Army has achieved a major victory in its fight against banditry with the killing of notorious bandit leader and arms dealer, Kachalla Halilu Sububu.
Sububu was killed during a military operation in the northwestern region of Nigeria, marking a critical blow to the banditry crisis in the area.
Sububu was a significant figure in the bandit networks operating across Zamfara and surrounding states, leading criminal activities and training other dangerous bandits.
The military operation was carried out by troops of the 1st Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 1, who ambushed and eliminated Sububu along with 37 of his men.
The operation took place near Balde Village, along the Gusau-Sokoto road in Maru Local Government Area.
Sububu was traveling towards southern Zamfara after attending a ceremony in Bayan Ruwa, located in Maradun Local Government Area, when the military forces intercepted him.
The military acted on credible intelligence to ambush the notorious leader, leading to a fierce gunfight.
Although the operation was successful, some of Sububu’s men managed to escape with gunshot wounds.
An eyewitness, Danlami Nasiru, described the intensity of the gun battle. “I saw two military vehicle tires shot out by the bandits, and one soldier emerged from the bush with blood on his hand,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, confirmed Sububu’s death during a visit to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.
He praised the troops for their bravery and swift action in neutralizing the bandit leader, who had long been on the military’s most-wanted list.
This development comes at a critical time, as bandit attacks have terrorized the region for years, leading to countless deaths, kidnappings, and displacements.
Halilu Sububu, also known as Halilu Buzu or Kachalla Halilu Tubali, was one of the most notorious figures in the banditry crisis that has plagued northwestern Nigeria.
He was involved in several criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and illegal gold mining.
Sububu was also a major arms supplier in the region and had access to advanced weapons and operational vehicles. He led a group of bandits responsible for countless attacks on villages, farmers, and travelers across the Northwest.
According to reports, Sububu operated a large illegal mining site in Dan-Kamfani, Anka Local Government Area, and owned thousands of cattle in the infamous Sububu Forest.
Sububu’s banditry empire extended far beyond Nigeria’s borders, with reports suggesting that he had roots in the Niger Republic.
He was known for training several high-profile bandits, including Bello Turji, another notorious criminal figure in the region.
PRNigeria reported that Sububu was responsible for the deaths of several security operatives, including a drone pilot and a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, two months before his death.
His involvement in countless kidnappings and murders across Zamfara and its neighboring states made him one of the most wanted criminals in Nigeria.
Sububu had managed to evade the authorities for years, but his reign of terror has finally come to an end following this military operation
The elimination of Halilu Sububu follows a series of violent attacks by bandits in Zamfara and surrounding areas.
Just 24 hours before the military’s successful operation, another group of bandits ambushed security personnel in Tazame Village, Bungudu Local Government Area.
In that attack, three soldiers and four policemen were killed, and several civilians, including a foreign worker from SETRACO construction company, were abducted.
This increase in bandit attacks has heightened tensions in the region, with many residents living in fear of further violence.
Bandits have disrupted daily life, affecting agriculture, trade, and local economies. Farmers have been particularly affected, as bandits often demand ransom payments or take over farming lands.
The military’s efforts to combat the crisis have been ongoing, but the killing of Sububu is seen as a major milestone in the fight against these criminal networks.
Security experts and local journalists have hailed the death of Halilu Sububu as a significant achievement in the fight against banditry in northwestern Nigeria.
Journalist Mannir Fura Girke, who has reported extensively on bandit activities in Zamfara and Sokoto, described Sububu’s elimination as a turning point for security forces and the local population.
“With the harvest season underway, bandit control over farming areas had severely impacted local agriculture,” Girke explained. “Sububu’s death could lead to a significant reduction in banditry and restore normalcy for farmers in the region.”
He added that Sububu’s influence over the bandit networks was substantial, and his removal could mean an end to the ongoing bandit crisis in the Northwest.
“This is a substantial blow to banditry in northwestern Nigeria,” Girke told BBC Hausa. “His removal could change the dynamics of criminal activities, as he was a key leader controlling these criminal networks.”
The successful operation that resulted in Sububu’s death is expected to boost the morale of the Nigerian military and other security agencies in their continued fight against bandits and terrorists.
Zamfara State, in particular, has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the ongoing banditry crisis, with several communities suffering attacks, abductions, and property destruction.
The military’s success in this operation shows that the fight against banditry is making progress, even in the face of numerous challenges.
The Nigerian Army’s intelligence-driven approach has proven effective in tracking down notorious bandit leaders like Sububu.
Military authorities have vowed to continue their efforts to eliminate other high-profile criminals and restore peace to the troubled region.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, commended the military for its dedication to the safety and security of the people, noting that the state government will continue to support all efforts to eliminate banditry.
