Troops kill bandit leader Baleri Fakai, 30 others in Zamfara

Troops of the Nigerian Army have achieved another significant victory in the fight against terrorism by eliminating notorious bandit leader, Baleri Fakai.

Reports indicate that that Fakai was among thirty (30) bandits killed in a recent operation in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Baleri Fakai, a close associate and superior to infamous bandit leader Bello Turji, had long been a key figure in the region’s banditry. Security analysts verified that Fakai’s reign of terror ended just days after he appeared defiant in a TikTok video.

Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, also shared the news on his social media platform, X, stating: “WONDERFUL: It has been confirmed that the joint security forces have eliminated the notorious bandit leader Baleri Fakai, along with 30 other terrorists, in Maru, Zamfara state. Fakai was a close ally to Bello Turji, who will soon meet a similar fate, Insha Allah.”

This development marks a major success in the ongoing military operations, bringing the tally to five bandit leaders eliminated in the span of 72 hours.

Earlier, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji had announced the neutralization of four other notorious bandit leaders in Zamfara State: Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaleri. The operation also resulted in the death of Halilu Sububu, a key figure behind multiple terrorist activities in the North West.

Meanwhile, military forces in Plateau State apprehended another wanted terrorist kingpin, Hosseini Osman. Osman, captured in Ganawuri village, Riyom Local Government Area, confessed to orchestrating several deadly attacks, including a recent assault on Ganawuri village that claimed the lives of innocent civilians.

Acting on Osman’s information, troops quickly mobilized to Kyaram village in Kanam Local Government Area, successfully rescuing several kidnapped victims.