Finally, Military Eliminates Notorious Bandit, Halilu Sububu, Dozen Others in Zamfara
The Nigerian military eliminated Halilu Sububu, a notorious terrorist in the North West.
Sububu has been perpetuating his violent activities in Zamfara state, where he met his waterloo yesterday.
A reliable defence intelligence source on Friday morning confirmed the daredevil criminal’s killing by troops to PRNigeria.
“In an aggressive clearance operation yesterday, military troops eliminated the notorious Halilu Sububu and several other bandits in Zamfara last night.
“Troops also recovered deadly firearms and ammunition, together with motorcycles from the terrorists,” the source noted.
Checks by PRNigeria also revealed that Sububu was responsible for the death of a drone pilot and operative of the Department of State Services, DSS, about two months ago.
He is reported to have also abducted and killed several other Zamfara civilians.
By PRNigeria
UPDATE: The Fall of Sububu and Other Bandit Warlords: How Intelligence-Led Military Operations Changed the Battlefield in 2024
Introduction
From Halilu Sububu’s Last Stand in Zamfara to the Elimination of 15 Kingpins — A Year of Decisive Military Strikes Against Organised Banditry
The year 2024 will be remembered as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against banditry — the year the military and intelligence services took the war to the warlords and won decisive victories.
Through coordinated, intelligence driven operations across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto, Nigerian troops — supported by Nigerian Air Force assets and reinforced by vigilante groups and community guards — systematically dismantled the command structure of the North West’s most entrenched bandit networks.
PRNigeria confirms that at least 15 bandit kingpins were neutralised in 2024 through military operations, rival gang clashes, and intelligence supported non kinetic initiatives quietly championed by political leaders. Their names may not resonate in Lagos or Abuja, but in the farming communities of Shinkafi, Maru, Gusau and Maradun — communities terrorised for years — each death was met with relief, prayers and cautious hope.
Credible defence intelligence sources told PRNigeria that these successes were the result of effective inter agency collaboration, political will, and behind the scenes efforts by certain political leaders under the auspices of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) who played decisive roles in the mission.
This is the story of how the warlords fell — and what their fall means for Nigeria’s most urgent security challenge.
Part One: The Man Who Controlled 46 Bandit Camps
September 12, 2024 — Mayanchi Village, Maru LGA, Zamfara State
In the early hours of September 12, 2024, Mohammad Halilu Sububu — arguably the most powerful bandit kingpin in Northern Nigeria — walked into a military ambush he never expected.
Born into a bandit family in Maniya, Shinkafi LGA, Sububu transformed a criminal inheritance into a sprawling empire. He controlled over 46 of the 80+ bandit camps across the North West, maintained links with Sahelian jihadist networks, ran illegal gold mining operations, and supplied arms to gangs across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Niger.
He was among the 43 terrorists declared wanted by Defence Headquarters in March 2024.
When confronted, Sububu chose to fight. After a fierce two hour gun battle, a precision shot to the forehead ended his 15 year reign of terror.
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The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the operation under Operation HADARIN DAJI, noting that another kingpin, Halilu Buzu, was simultaneously neutralised in the same area.
Across Zamfara, communities celebrated. Religious leaders offered prayers. Researcher Murtala Ahmad Rufa’i described Sububu’s death as “a major landmark in the fight against armed banditry in the Northwest.”
Sububu was responsible for numerous atrocities, including the kidnapping and killing of the Hausa Emir of Gobir in Sokoto State.
Part Two: The Massacre Of The Commanders — September 20, 2024
Shinkafi and Maradun Counties, Zamfara State
Eight days later, the military delivered one of its most devastating single day blows to organised banditry — killing eight high profile commanders in coordinated strikes across Zamfara.
Counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama described them as leaders “each commanding over 200 fighters.”
Those eliminated included:
• Kachalla Dan Baleri — Sabon Mashekari, Shinkafi
• Kachalla Dogo Kwaddi — Isa County corridor
• Lawalli Dodo — Filinga, Shinkafi
• Kachalla Naguru — Filinga, Shinkafi
• Kachalla Dan Babirki — Fankama, Maradun
• Kachalla Hana Zuwa — Jajjaye, Tubali
• Plus two additional unnamed commanders
Their simultaneous elimination removed multiple layers of the bandit hierarchy in one strike — a rare tactical and strategic victory.
Part Three: The Twin Kills Of September 24, 2024
Dan Sadau, Maru LGA — and Kwankele Road, Magami, Gusau LGA
Twelve days later, troops targeted two of Bello Turji’s most trusted lieutenants.
First, Sani Black (Kachalla Sani Black) was killed in Dan Sadau. When Kachalla Makore attempted to retrieve his comrade’s body, troops intercepted him along Kwankele Road. He and several fighters were killed in the ensuing firefight.
Two commanders. One day. A fatal miscalculation.
Part Four: The Birnin Gwari Strike — February 24, 2024
Kaduna State
On February 24, troops eliminated Abu Bilal Minuki (Abubakar Mainok) — head of IS Al Furqan Province, linked to ISGS and ISWAP. Operating from Birnin Gwari Forest, he coordinated attacks along the Abuja Kaduna highway.
His death disrupted a dangerous bandit terrorist nexus.
Part Five: Boderi — The Feared Commander Who Finally Fell
Haruna Isiya (Boderi), one of the most notorious commanders in the North West, was neutralised during coordinated offensives in 2024.
Similarly, Dogo Rabe, another feared kingpin, was eliminated in a precision airstrike that levelled his hideout.
Part Six: The Full Roll Of 2024 — 15 Kingpins Fallen
Other commanders killed include:
• Sani Dangote — Zamfara Katsina corridor
• Buharin Yadi — Zamfara
• Boderi Isyaku — Zamfara/Kaduna axis
By December 2024, at least 15 senior bandit leaders had been neutralised — the highest annual toll in Nigeria’s recent history.
Part Seven: Strategic Significance And The Road Ahead
The elimination of senior commanders marks real progress. But analysts warn:
1. Bandit networks regenerate. Fighters regroup under new leaders. Sububu’s death disrupted — but did not end — his network.
2. Violence persists elsewhere. Despite victories in the North West, massacres in Plateau and Benue continued, suggesting cross regional linkages.
3. Major kingpins remain active. Bello Turji, Alhaji Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, Boka, Ado Aliero, Dan Bokkolo, Labi Yadi, Nagala, Saidu Idris, Sani Gurgu, Kachalla Rugga and Gide remain at large.
The war is far from over.
Conclusion: What The Warlords’ Fall Means
September 2024 will be remembered as the month the North West’s bandit establishment suffered its most devastating leadership losses in a generation. In just twelve days, Nigeria eliminated its most powerful bandit godfather, eight commanders, and two lieutenants.
For communities long terrorised — unable to farm, travel or sleep safely — the deaths of Sububu, Boderi, Sani Black, Makore and Dogo Rabe restored hope and dignity.
But lasting security requires more than killing commanders. It requires rebuilding communities, restoring state presence, strengthening intelligence networks and sustaining political will.
The military won crucial battles in 2024. The campaign for a safe North West continues.
By PRNigeria
