In a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, the troops have eliminated notorious Sokoto bandit kingpin, Yellow Danbokkolo and 10 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

Troops of Operation Fasan Yama, during a fierce offensive in Eastern Sokoto, eliminated Danbokkolo, in an operation carried out in collaboration with Hybrid Forces, Air Components, and other security agencies.

He succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during an intense firefight last week and died on Tuesday, July 1.

Described by the military as even more feared than the infamous Bello Turji, Danbokkolo was behind the horrific December 2021 mass killing in Shinkafi, Zamfara State, where travellers were burnt alive in a targeted arson attack.

In a separate but equally successful operation in the Northeast, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 10 Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents in the southern Lake Chad region of Borno State, near the Nigeria-Cameroon border. The offensive, conducted between Rann and Gamboru Ngala, also resulted in the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including anti-aircraft rounds suspected to have been looted from Cameroonian forces.

The successes, according to the military authorities, reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the momentum against terrorists across all fronts, with renewed efforts to hunt down other notorious actors, including Bello Turji.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Markus Kangye, described Danbokkolo as much more dreaded than Turji.

He said the terrorist kingpin had long terrorised residents of Eastern Sokoto.

He said, “Troops of Operation Fasan Yama, in conjunction with Hybrid Forces supported by Air Components and other security agencies, conducted an intelligence lead operation last week, during which they engaged bandits and fleeing terrorists.

“During the encounter, a notorious terrorist kingpin, known as Yellow Danbokkolo, who for years has devastated residents of Eastern Sokoto, suffered serious gunshot wounds.

“He subsequently died yesterday from the injuries sustained during the fierce battle with our troops.

“It is believed that Yellow Danbokkolo was much more dreaded than Bello Turji as he masterminded the December 2021 arson on travellers in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, during which all the passengers were burnt to death. To sustain his cruelty and heinous activities, Danbokkolo lived on endless bouts of pentazocine.”

The army spokesman said troops, emboldened by the success of the operation, had renewed efforts to locate and apprehend Bello Turji, currently believed to be in hiding.

Kangye said, “Our exultant troops of Operation Fasan Yama, with this renewed resolve, are on the hunt for Bello Turji, who has been in hiding.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to restoring normalcy in all parts of the country and, therefore, calls for the cooperation of all Nigerians in this drive.”

In another statement on Tuesday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Headquarters, Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, Reuben Kovangiya, the Army announced the killing of 10 Boko Haram elements.

According to Kovangiya, the troops also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition after the operation.

The statement read: “Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai have launched a series of offensives aimed at ridding the North East of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.

“In a recent coordinated operation in terrorists’ hideouts in the southern Lake Chad region of Borno State, scores of insurgents were neutralised, and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.”

The statement said the operation was conducted between Rann and Gamboru Ngala of Borno State, near the Cameroon border.

“During the operation which was conducted between Rann and Gamboru Ngala, close to the Cameroon border at Manawaji, troops made contact with the terrorists.

“Following the intense firefight, the determined and well-equipped troops eliminated 10 terrorists who, according to intelligence, have been disrupting peace in the general area,” the statement added.

The statement reiterated the army’s commitment to sustaining the offensive in the North-East.

“While the resilient troops have been commended for the great feat, they have vowed to deny the terrorists freedom of action in the general area, as well as sustain offensive against the terrorists in the entire North East region, in line with the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff, to achieve the mandate of Operation Hadin Kai,” Kovangiya said.