In the last two years, the Nigerian military has intensified efforts to combat terrorism and banditry, focusing on eliminating top leaders and commanders. Through Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast and Operation Faran Yamma in the Northwest, several notorious terrorist and bandit leaders have been neutralised. MUSA UMAR BOLOGI profiles some of the high-profile terrorist and bandit leaders eliminated in battles within the period.
On March 22, 2024, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) released the names of 97 terrorists on its most wanted list. And by September 2024, it announced the killing of several of them, including those from the Northeast and Northwest, following renewed offensive.
At present, more than 50 of them have been eliminated by the military. Below are some of the high-profile leaders of terrorists/bandits killed within the period:
Yellow Danbokkolo
One of the 43 notorious terrorists declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Yellow Danbokkolo, was neutralised recently through a joint operation by the Nigerian army troops, hybrid forces and air support by the Nigerian Air Force in Shinkafi Forest of Zamfara State.
Considered even more ruthless and cunning than his cousin, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, Danbokolo operated from a base in Kagara, Shinkafi Local Government Area, with additional strongholds in Bafarawa, Kamarawa, Gebe and Dan-Zage. His camp, reportedly comprising around 350 fighters, spanned Sokoto and Zamfara states, where they carried out numerous violent activities.
Danbokolo reportedly received training under notorious warlord Shehu Rakep; a pioneering bandit in the Northwest and Sahel region known for fearlessness, tactical prowess and tenacity. Like his mentor, Danbokolo, adhered to a hard line philosophy, believing in “an eye for an eye” approach. It was this ideological stance that set him apart from Turji, despite being his right-hand man.
For example, on April 25, 2022, when Turji attempted to initiate dialogue with the people of Shinkafi, ordering his fighters to lay down their arms, Danbokolo openly defied him. Danbokolo rejected the peace initiative, declaring that they had no interest in dialogue, effectively sabotaging the Shinkafi peace process between Turji’s camp, other bandits, and the local population.
Despite their differing ideological stances, Turji and Danbokolo frequently collaborated on attacks, cattle rustling, and abductions. However, Danbokolo was the more fearless and strategic operator, often leading fighting units and commanding a larger group of young fighters. Although Turji was more notorious, Danbokolo masterminded and executed most attacks, earning him a reputation as the operational brain behind the violence.”
At just 27 years and with 12 children, Danbokkolo was reportedly responsible for numerous violent crimes in Shinkafi Local Government Area, including the December 2021 arson on travellers during which 30 passengers were burnt to death; the sacking of Gangara village and the deposition of its village head in March 2022 and repeated abductions, cattle rustling and attacks on military outposts in Shinkafi, Isa and Sabon Birni.
In January 2025, Danbokolo and Turji’s younger brother, Dosso, sustained injuries during an airstrike but survived. However, Danbokolo later met his demise on June 29, 2025, succumbing to gunshot wounds after a fierce battle with the military.
Halilu Sububu
Born in Maniya village, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Halilu grew up in a world where banditry was a way of life and a generational tradition.
Halilu was trained by his father, Jamare, a notorious cattle bandit and rustler. After his father’s death, he was mentored by Gide Goje, his father’s close associate from whom he learnt the tactical maneuver that enabled him and his group to survive the operational terrain.
By age 40, his life was marked by the harsh realities of violence and survival. His activities were vast and far-reaching. He dominated the arms trade and oversaw sprawling gold mining operations across many villages in Zamfara State. With control over fighters and immense wealth, he reigned as a bandit king.
Halilu’s rise to power was linked to Shehu Rekeb, a pioneering bandit known for his fearless disposition and tactical prowess. Rekeb, who had trained many bandit leaders, connected Halilu with arms and drug suppliers across West Africa, providing him access to modern weapons and significantly boosting his influence.
Halilu channeled the wealth generated through his mining activity into financing his arms trade. He also generated other criminal activities such as cattle rustling, taxes on communities and agric produce.
Kidnapping was another lucrative venture for Halilu. He bought victims, especially abducted Chinese nationals, from other bandits, negotiating ransoms that further bolstered his financial base.
He controlled about 15 major camps and over 1,000 fighters, including commanders, across Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna states, while his influence as a major gunrunner made him one of Northwest’s most formidable bandits.
His marriage to daughters of notable bandit families in the region enhanced his influence and served as protection. He had three wives—Delu, Fatima and Hadiza. One of them, Delu, is the daughter of a respected Fulani elder, Ardo Jabi, who is the father of another bandit warlord, Lawali Dodo in Zamfara State.
Political demands
Halilu advocated for an end to the harassment of Fulani people by security forces, the removal of illegal checkpoints and an end to extrajudicial killings by the Yan-sa-kai vigilante group. He also demanded the release of his detained associates.
Despite his criminal activities, he negotiated peace deals with several communities, including a 2023 agreement with the people of Anka Local Government Area in Zamfara State, highlighting the complex dynamics between banditry and local populations.
In his final video message on September 10, 2024, which was laced with elements of a plea for internal peace and a commitment to resisting external forces, he appealed to fellow bandits and the Fulani community in the Northwest to be united and focus their battle on the government and its agents, boasting that no military force, domestic or foreign, could defeat them as long as the Fulani remained united.
Halilu was eventually killed in a military ambush and crossfire in Mayanchi, on September 12, 2024. His death stunned both bandits and citizens, shattering the widespread belief that his vast network and “invincibility” would shield him indefinitely.
Security experts believe Sabubu’s death will profoundly impact Northwest security dynamics. The elimination of this prominent terror kingpin demonstrates the military’s capability and resolve to neutralise high-profile leaders, potentially disrupting the operations and networks of affiliated kingpins like Turji and weakening their strongholds.
Ali Kachala Kawaje
Ali Alhaji Alheri, popularly known as Kachalla Ali Kawaje, was a notorious terrorist leader who operated between Zamfara and Niger states. He was known for his fearless attitude and strategic operations, often leading fighting units and commanding a large group of young fighters.
He was responsible for several violent activities on the border between Niger and Zamfara states, and masterminded the abduction of students from Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, in June 2023.
Kawaje was neutralised along with 38 of his fighters near Mangoro in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State through airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in December 2023.
NAF aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch bombarded the terrorists after they had attacked a detachment of security operatives deployed in Mangoro community.
Overhead the location, Kachalla and his foot soldiers were sighted withdrawing from the operatives’ location on 11 motorcycles. Unknown to them, they were being trailed to their hideout near Kopa Hills where they took cover under a thick tree covering.
It was reported that it was at that point that the air strikes were authorised, which were decisive and swift, killing Ali Kachalla and his fighters.
Other prominent terrorist leaders neutralised alongside Kawaje include Machika, a top terrorist bomb expert, and Dan Muhammad, a specialist in kidnapping and assault operations.
Aminu Kanawa
He is Bello Turji’s second-in-command. As Turji’s deputy, he was said to be responsible for leading operations that led to numerous kidnappings and terror attacks across the Northwest region, particularly in Zurmi, Shinkafi, Isa and Sabon Birni local government areas of Zamfara and Sokoto states.
Kanawa was killed during air and ground assaults by the military in Fakai Hill in Zamfara State, which was conducted from January 21 to 23, 2025.
A primary school in the axis located in Zamfara State and serving as a logistics base for the terrorists was also bombed by the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets, thereby weakening their capacity to fight. Kanawa was killed alongside key commanders, including Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba, and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe.
His death was said to have dealt a heavy blow to Turji, who feared it signaled the military was closing in on him. It was a significant blow to his network in the Northwest where he operates.
Auta
He has a boyish face, but a dangerous like hell. Auta and his gang of bandits operate within Zamfara State, causing havoc in the Tsafe general area.
Although, like it is known about his gangs outside of their general area, residents of Tsafe see him as a dreaded criminal who committed several arsons and killings. He was into cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom.
Auta met his demise on June 10, 2025 during a military offensive operation in Ƙunchin Kalgo town, Tsafe Local Government Area of the state. Auta was killed alongside his associate, Babayé and 10 fighters.
According to Director of Defence Media Operation, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, Auta’s foot soldiers were linked to multiple acts of violence and terrorism in Zamfara.
Amir Abu Fatima
He was a top Boko Haram/ISWAP commander on the list of Nigerian military’s wanted terrorist in the Northeast with a bounty of ₦100 million on him.
He was said to be responsible for coordinating attacks in the northern part of Borno State, especially the Baga axis. He was also said to be responsible for attacks on military bases in the Baga-Kukawa axis.
While he escaped several attacks, strikes by the air force on May 30, 2025 got him down.
According to the military’s spokesman, Abu Fatima was taken down by Special Forces troops under Operation Hadin Kai during a precision strike on a terrorist stronghold in the Kukawa axis. He said the terrorist commander was fatally wounded in an intense gun battle, adding that his deputy, several explosives experts and multiple fighters were also neutralised during the operation.
It was said that Abu Fatima was first captured alive but later died as a result of excessive bleeding.
The military also said troops recovered several AK-47 rifles, magazines, improvised explosive device materials and assorted ordnance during the operation.
Elatedd by the killing of Abu Fatima, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited Kukawa where he commended troops, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) hunters and vigilantes over the killing of the ISWAP top commander.
Abu Fatima’s death was believed to have delivered a significant blow to terrorist leadership in the region and reinforced the military’s avowed commitment to restoring peace in the Northeast.
Malam Jidda
Jidda was a senior leader in Boko Haram/ISWAP, who operated along the Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe and the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno.
He was identified as the Ameer (leader) of Ngorgore and Malumti villages in Yobe State. He was said to be fierce in battle. But he met his death on June 9, 2025.
According to a statement by spokesman of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Abu Fatima and some of his fighters met their demise when troops of OPHK supported by the air component launched an attack on the terrorists’ base in Ngazalgana area of Gujba Local Government Area.
According to him, some terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds while others were neutralised during a follow-up encounter in the Timbuktu Triangle, where troops conducted a snap ambush operation.
He said troops recovered some assorted weapons and large quantities of ammunition, hand grenades, hand-held radios and other logistical items, during the operation.
Experts believed that the leadership of the terrorist/bandit community in Northeast, Northwest and part of North-central had rapidly diminished with the deaths of noted top terrorists kingpins like Halilu Sabubu, Abu Fatima, Ali Kachalla, Alhaji Auta, and many others.
Despite the military’s successes against terrorists, some of them like Bello Turji have continued to evade the military. Their attacks on communities in the Northeast and Northwest have caused the deaths of hundreds of people in recent years.
However, the military has continued to make killing or capturing them its main target. According to Defence headquarters, troops would not relent until these terrorists are completely destroyed.
Troops’ operations are aimed at creating an atmosphere of safety and security for all citizens.
