Halilu Sububu, one of Nigeria’s most infamous bandit leaders, was killed in a military ambush on Thursday.
Nigerian security sources confirmed the news on Friday, marking a major success in the ongoing fight against criminal gangs in the country’s northwest.
Sububu, also known as Halilu Buzu, led violent raids in Zamfara and neighboring states, terrorizing communities for years.
His bandits looted villages, kidnapped residents for ransom, and set homes ablaze, leaving a trail of destruction.
Nigerian forces received intelligence on Sububu’s movements and ambushed his convoy in Zurmi district’s Mayanchi village.
The resulting gunfight, lasting several hours, claimed the lives of Sububu and over 38 of his fighters.
Group Captain Kabiru Ali, spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, confirmed the death, stating that a significant cache of weapons was recovered, including rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns.
Sububu, 38, was involved in illegal mining and arms trafficking, smuggling weapons from Libya through Niger.
He had been wanted by Nigerian authorities for years and was among 19 bandit leaders with bounties on their heads.
The military’s latest operation is viewed as a major step in curbing banditry across Nigeria’s troubled northwest region.
