The Nigerian Army has eliminated a notorious bandit leader and arms supplier, Kachalla Halilu Sububu, in a major operation against bandits in northwest Nigeria.

Sububu, a key figure in the region’s banditry, operated a large mining site in Dan-Kamfani, Anka Local Government Area, and owned thousands of cattle in the infamous Sububu Forest. He was known for training dangerous bandits, including Bello Turji, and reportedly had access to advanced weapons and operational vehicles.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, confirmed Sububu’s death during a visit to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.

Sububu was killed by troops from the 1 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 1 at Balde Village near Kwaren Kirya, along the Gusau-Sokoto road in Maru Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops ambushed and eliminated Sububu and 37 of his men, although a few managed to escape with gunshot wounds.

Sububu was reportedly traveling to southern Zamfara State after attending a ceremony in Bayan Ruwa, Maradun Local Government Area, when the military ambushed him, resulting in a fierce gunfight.

An eyewitness, Danlami Nasiru, described the intensity of the battle, stating, “I saw two military vehicle tires shot out by the bandits, and one soldier emerged from the bush with blood on his hand.”

Sububu had long been on the Nigerian Army’s wanted list for his involvement in various criminal activities.

This success follows an ambush by another group of bandits that killed three soldiers, four policemen, and abducted several civilians, including a foreign worker from the SETRACO construction company, in Tazame Village, Bungudu Local Government Area, less than 24 hours earlier.