Crime
Troops Eliminate Three Notorious Bandit Leaders in Zamfara
Troops Eliminate Three Notorious Bandit Leaders in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Nigerian troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with Zamfara State’s Community Watch group, also known as Askarawa, have achieved a major breakthrough by neutralizing three notorious bandit leaders in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandit leaders including Kachallah Mai Shadda, Kachalla Gurgu, and Kachalla Mai Dadawere ambushed and eliminated near Gangara village while fleeing military incursions. The operation occurred as the bandits attempted to escape on two motorcycles.
The latest operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat banditry across the Northwest region, including Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. In the past week, over 60 bandits have been neutralized, while dozens have been forced to flee their enclaves due to intensified military pressure.
In another operation, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) carried out precision strikes targeting bandits loyal to the infamous Bello Turji as they retreated toward remote areas in Maradun and Zurmi LGAs. Ground troops and local vigilantes supported the airstrikes, inflicting heavy casualties on the assailants.
Ground forces also recorded successes in Fakai, located in Shinkafi LGA, where several bandits were eliminated. However, some vigilantes pursuing the criminals were caught in crossfire, resulting in casualties. The injured vigilantes have been evacuated to healthcare facilities in Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, and Kaya for treatment.
Sources report that bandits led by Bello Turji are relocating from Shinkafi LGA’s forest to Surbudu Forest in Isa LGA of Sokoto State. This movement has raised concerns about potential regrouping.
In a separate incident, Turji’s faction was spotted along the Mayasa Road near Gidan Jaja, transporting hundreds of rustled livestock. To avoid aerial detection, the bandits positioned the animals at the front of their convoy while riding motorcycles in the middle, complicating surveillance efforts.
Be on standby as Zagazola brings more updates from North West Theartre
Troops Eliminate Three Notorious Bandit Leaders in Zamfara
Crime
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner Linked to Notorious Terror Kingpins in Katsina
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner Linked to Notorious Terror Kingpins in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 17 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested a suspected gunrunner allegedly involved in supplying weapons and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North-West.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Saidu Rabiu, aged 25, from Wagini in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was arrested on May 15, 2026, at about 10:20 a.m.
According to the sources, troops acted on credible intelligence and swiftly mobilised to the General Hospital, Batsari, where the suspect was reportedly receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

He was subsequently arrested at the hospital without resistance and moved for interrogation.
Preliminary investigation allegedly linked the suspect to the supply of military-grade weapons and ammunition to several notorious terror kingpins operating in the region, including Bello Turji, Ado Aliero, and other criminal commanders identified as late Kachalla Black and Yellow.
Troops said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation to uncover wider arms trafficking networks supporting terrorist operations in the North-West.
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner Linked to Notorious Terror Kingpins in Katsina
Crime
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Member Extorting Motorists in Borno
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Member Extorting Motorists in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 1:20 p.m. on May 14, 2026, in Gubio town during a coordinated operation with local security volunteers.
According to the sources, the suspect claimed to be from Jere Local Government Area and allegedly confessed to being part of a group involved in extorting motorists along the Kareto general area.
The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further interrogation.
Security authorities said investigations were ongoing to identify other members of the suspected extortion network and dismantle related criminal activities in the area.
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Member Extorting Motorists in Borno
Crime
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised two suspected terrorists during clearance operations conducted in parts of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a special situation report issued by Headquarters Sector 1 under Operation Desert Sanity, the operation was carried out on May 15, 2026, by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion stationed at Kirawa.
The operation involved 15 soldiers working in conjunction with 16 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and 24 hybrid forces mounted on 28 motorcycles.
The troops reportedly advanced to Valle general area, Ashigashiya and Gakara communities during the operation aimed at clearing suspected terrorist hideouts and routes within the axis.
Military sources said contact was made with an unconfirmed number of suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad during the operation.
Following a firefight, two terrorists were neutralised, while several others reportedly retreated in disarray toward the Ngoshe axis.
Troops subsequently exploited the general area but made no further contact with the fleeing insurgents.
The forces later returned to base at about 3:00 p.m. the same day after completing the operation.
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
