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A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo, and six other top commanders have been killed during a gun battle with security forces in Zamfara State.
Emergency digest reported that the deadly encounter took place in a village within Shinkafi Local Government Area on Sunday. The Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG) reportedly ambushed the group while they were en route to a forest.
Danbokolo, widely feared across the North West and considered a close ally — if not a superior — to the infamous bandit leader Bello Turji, was shot in the leg during the clash and attempted to flee. However, he succumbed to blood loss and was eventually captured and killed by the CPG, according to local accounts.
“It was a decisive strike. Danbokolo was ruthless and responsible for countless abductions and killings in Zamfara, Sokoto, and parts of Niger Republic,” said a community member. “We are glad he is gone.”
In total, the clash reportedly left 182 of Danbokolo’s fighters dead. Several others are said to have fled into surrounding forests.
Reports indicate that Turji, devastated by the loss, may be considering fleeing Nigeria for the Niger Republic or Chad. Military sources say ongoing joint operations by Nigerian forces, along with the temporary suspension of GSM networks in the region, have severely crippled communication among the bandits.
Intelligence reports revealed that Danbokolo had invited the six commanders for a planning meeting to launch coordinated attacks on major towns in Shinkafi. However, acting on credible intelligence, security forces — including personnel from the Joint Task Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Zamfara CPG — staged a successful ambush.
Authorities say Danbokolo played a major role in numerous violent attacks and was linked to the killing of Sarkin Gobir Muhammad Bawa and mass abductions in Sokoto East, Shinkafi, and other parts of Zamfara.
Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, Special Adviser to Governor Dauda Lawal on Broadcast Media, confirmed Danbokolo’s death and added that Turji has been “significantly weakened.”
“We are optimistic that Turji will be captured or neutralised soon,” Kaura stated.
Residents in affected communities expressed relief, with one local describing Danbokolo as “the real executioner” behind many atrocities blamed on Turji. “People are celebrating. This is a turning point,” he added.
Despite the success, banditry remains a major concern in Zamfara. Recent weeks have seen deadly raids in Shinkafi, Maru, Tsafe, Zurmi, and Anka LGAs, with dozens killed, homes torched, and villagers abducted. Many residents have fled, while farmers have abandoned their fields, worsening food insecurity in the region.
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