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