Again, Troops kill Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi in Zamfara gun duel, disperse protest in Kaura Namoda

By: Zagazola Makama

Again, the Nigerian Army troops under 1 Brigade, operating in Zamfara State, have neutralised three notorious terrorist commanders Auta Jijji, Dankali, and Sagidi alongside dozens of their fighters during a fierce gun battle in Mai Kwanugga village, Talata Mafara Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the encounter occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on May 1, when troops of Counter-Terrorism Team 6 (CT 6), while on a fighting patrol, intercepted hundreds of armed terrorists attacking the village.

The assailants had stormed the community on motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze in a coordinated attempt to instill fear and cause destruction.

On sighting the troops, the terrorists opened fire, prompting a firefight that lasted several minutes. Reinforcements from the Brigade’s Quick Response Force (QRF) and 1 Battalion Special Forces (BSF) joined the engagement, overwhelming the terrorists through superior firepower and tactical manoeuvring.

According to military sources, the intense exchange led to the death of several terrorists, including three of their top commanders identified as Auta Jijji, Dankali, and Sagidi long wanted for a series of coordinated attacks, killings, and mass abductions across the North-West.

During the operation, troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the fleeing terrorists. Recovered items include: Four AK-47 rifles, One PKT machine gun with an erased serial number, One RPG launcher tube with serial number E3-116, Four RPG bombs, 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 43 rounds of PKT ammunition.

Top military sources said the swift response averted what could have been a mass killing in the village. However, during the exploitation phase after the firefight, two civilians were hit by stray bullets while attempting to assist troops. Local sources reported that some terrorists carried away the bodies of their fallen comrades, while angry youths allegedly dismembered the bodies of neutralised fighters left behind.

In a related development, troops under Counter-Terrorism Team 2 deployed in Kaura Namoda, acting on the directive of 1 Brigade Command, successfully dispersed a violent protest at Dayau village in Kauran Namoda LGA.

The protest began at about 12:45 p.m. on May 1, when residents took to the streets to protest recurring bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings. The demonstrators blocked the main supply route (MSR) with burning tyres, demanding urgent intervention from authorities.

Security forces, including personnel of the Nigerian Army, Police, and Civil Defence, responded promptly to the scene. Using non-violent crowd control measures, they restored normalcy and reopened the road, ensuring the safety of commuters and residents.

Military sources confirmed that calm has since returned to Kaura Namoda and surrounding communities. Troops are currently on heightened alert, conducting patrols and surveillance to forestall further incidents.

The killing of Auta Jijji, Dankali, and Sagidi is regarded by security analysts as a major blow to bandits operating across Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.

Again, Troops kill Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi in Zamfara gun duel, disperse protest in Kaura Namoda

Army troops repel attack, nutrialised 10 Bandits including Notorious Kingpin “Shalili” in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 10 armed bandits, including a notorious kingpin identified as “Shalili”, have been neutralised in Zamfara State following a fierce confrontation with villagers and security operatives in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday when about 50 armed bandits stormed Maikwanuga Village via Jangebe District on motorcycles, shooting sporadically.

In response, the troops with local youths and other security personnel mobilised to repel the attackers.

In the ensuing gun battle, 10 bandits, including their leader, were gunned down. However, the District Head of Maikwanuga and one other civilian also lost their lives in the confrontation. Their bodies, along with those of the bandits, were recovered and taken for appropriate documentation and burial.

In a separate development, two individuals were abducted by suspected bandits at about 7:20 p.m. in Abare Village, Anka LGA. The victims were reportedly returning from a ransom payment when they were seized and taken to an unknown destination. The villagers narrowly escaped an earlier attack while heading to Magrib prayers.

Army troops repel attack, nutrialised 10 Bandits including Notorious Kingpin “Shalili” in Zamfara

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

By: Michael Mike

Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.

Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.

The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.

The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.

The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.

The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.

It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.

The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.

The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies