Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo, a notorious bandit and close ally of Kachalla Turji, and six bandit commanders, have been killed in a village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
They were eliminated during a gun battle with operatives of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG) on Sunday, a source told Daily Trust.
Danbokolo is widely regarded as one of the most feared bandits in the North West.
Sources said the gunfight, which lasted for two hours, also resulted in the deaths of 182 bandit foot soldiers.
“Danbokolo was killed by personnel of the Zamfara CPG. The operatives ambushed his gang while they were en route to a forest. He was first shot in the leg and tried to escape, but the CPG team continued pursuing him.
“Due to the severity of the injury, he lost a lot of blood and was eventually unable to move. When the CPG operatives caught up with him, they beheaded and dismembered him.
“We are happy that this ruthless bandit is dead. He was wicked and heartless, showing no mercy when attacking villages. He abducted numerous people from surrounding communities,” a source said.
Another source added that after Danbokolo was shot, his foot soldiers carried him across several villages in search of medical help, but he ultimately died as no one agreed to treat him.
Daily Trust gathered that Danbokolo was a key ally and criminal partner of the notorious bandit leader Kachalla Bello Turji.
Some sources said due to the numerical strength of his fighters and weapons, Danbokolo was considered Turji’s superior.
Multiple sources confirmed to Daily Trust that Danbokolo masterminded many of the attacks linked to Turji across Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo, Gwadabawa, Shinkafi, Raba, and the Gundumi Forest.
One of the sources said, “Kachalla Turji was devastated and weakened by Danbokolo’s death. He was a pillar of strength in Turji’s operations. Though six other commanders were also killed, Danbokolo’s death hit Turji the hardest.
“Information reaching us indicates that Turji is confused and reportedly planning to flee to the Niger Republic, and possibly to Chad. The ongoing joint military operation by Nigerian forces is seriously impacting the bandits, especially with the suspension of GSM services, which has severely disrupted their communication.
“If the network were still active, the bandits would have called for reinforcements from across the state and even beyond.”
Another source revealed that the bandits were ambushed by a joint team of security operatives comprising personnel from the Joint Task Force, Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG), the Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The source explained, “We received information that Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo had invited six other bandit leaders to plan coordinated attacks on major towns and villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
“Danbokolo was said to have led the planned operation, which was likely intended as a reprisal for the losses Turji’s group suffered last week.
“However, acting on intelligence, the security forces set up an ambush and engaged them in a gunfight. During the exchange, Danbokolo and the six commanders were killed.
“As defeat loomed, the remaining bandits tried to retreat into the forest, but security forces pursued and sustained the offensive.”
Another source said “Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo was responsible for the abduction and killing of Sarkin Gobir Muhammad Bawa.
“He also masterminded numerous attacks in Sokoto East and parts of Zamfara, particularly the Shinkafi axis. He had been terrorising towns and villages in Sokoto, Zamfara, and parts of the Niger Republic for several years, abducting and killing countless people.
“We thank God he’s finally dead. Our hope now is that Bello Turji will be the next to fall. We want this era of banditry to end once and for all.”
A resident expressed relief and joy over Danbokolo’s death, saying “We are in a celebratory mood. It’s almost unbelievable that Danbokolo, whose name used to strike fear into our hearts, is finally gone.
“I can confidently say he was the real commander behind the scenes. Turji merely relayed messages, but Danbokolo executed the atrocities.
“It wasn’t just Danbokolo who was killed, at least 180 of his loyal fighters were also eliminated and buried over the past week. Many others have fled. We see them fleeing after every raid on their camps,” he added.
Confirming the death of Kachalla Danbokolo, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, Special Adviser to Governor Dauda Lawal on Broadcast Media, said the notorious bandit was killed in a village in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
“Yes, it’s true, Danbokolo was killed near the Nigeria-Chad border during a joint security operation. I can confirm that Bello Turji has been significantly weakened by this development.
“We are optimistic that Turji will be captured or killed soon. Nigerian troops have already dealt him a major blow, and his days are numbered,” Kaura said.
Bandits have been carrying out a series of vicious attacks across villages in Zamfara State, leading to dozens of deaths, widespread displacement, and the destruction of homes, markets, and farmlands.
In recent weeks, communities in Shinkafi, Maru, Tsafe, Zurmi, and Anka local government areas have witnessed coordinated assaults by heavily armed gangs, who often arrive on motorcycles, setting villages ablaze and abducting residents for ransom.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred earlier this month when over 30 people were reportedly killed in a nighttime raid on a village in Tsafe LGA. In another attack in Zurmi, dozens of homes were torched, and several residents, including women and children, were abducted.
Similar patterns of violence have also been recorded in the Shinkafi axis, where security operatives recently neutralised notorious bandit leaders.
These attacks have left many rural communities in a state of panic, with residents fleeing en masse to safer areas.
Farmers have also abandoned their fields for fear of being attacked, further worsening food insecurity in the state.
