In a major victory against banditry in Northwestern Nigeria, Nigerian troops have successfully killed the notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Halilu Sububu, bringing an end to his reign of terror. Kachalla, infamous for orchestrating widespread attacks and banditry in the region, was neutralized along with his top commanders during a targeted military operation in Mayanchi forest, located in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The operation, which was a part of the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), was executed with the support of local intelligence networks. Kachalla Halilu Buzu’s group, long a menace to the communities in Northwestern Nigeria, was intercepted in Mayanchi forest, a notorious hideout for bandits. The confrontation was marked by heavy combat, beginning late Thursday evening after the Maghrib prayer and extending until early Friday morning, following the Subh prayer.
Despite fierce resistance from the insurgents, the troops emerged victorious, neutralizing all the bandits, including Kachalla and his notorious commanders. This victory is seen as a crucial step in the ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism in the region, as Kachalla’s death is expected to disrupt the operations of various criminal groups operating in the area.
According to local reports, Kachalla and his gang were moving from the Moriki area of Zurmi Local Government, heading towards Anka Local Government, another region severely affected by bandit activity. This area has long served as a hub for criminal operations due to its challenging terrain and remoteness, making it difficult for security forces to maintain control.
Kachalla Sububu was not just a bandit leader but a central figure in the network of terrorists and criminal groups destabilizing Northwestern Nigeria. He was known to have mentored Bello Turji, another infamous bandit leader who has terrorized local communities with ruthless attacks and has been instrumental in arming and mobilizing other criminal factions in the area. Both Kachalla and Turji have been key figures in sustaining the violence that has engulfed the region, making them primary targets of the government’s military campaigns.
In a controversial move just two days before his death, Kachalla had in the viral video called on his fellow bandits to cease attacks on Fulani people, urging them to target only Hausa communities, particularly vigilante groups that have been resisting the bandits’ influence. He allegedly appealed to other notorious bandits such as Gwaska, Dogo Gide, Black, Ado, Nashama, and Alhaji Shingi to adopt the same strategy, further deepening the ethnic tensions that fuel the conflict in the region.
The Nigerian government has vowed to continue its efforts to restore peace and security in the North West, a region that has been plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism for years. The successful elimination of Kachalla is seen as a significant milestone in the broader campaign to dismantle the network of criminals operating in the region, but security experts warn that the fight is far from over, as other bandit leaders like Bello Turji remain at large.
The government has called on local communities to continue cooperating with security forces and to remain vigilant as operations to root out the remaining elements of these criminal networks continue. With this major breakthrough, hopes are rising for a potential turning point in the fight against banditry in Northwestern Nigeria.
