VANGUARD
The mood in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and other states in the northern part of Nigeria is that of relief. This followed the recent killing of the notorious bandit kingpin, Halilu Sububu, by the Nigerian Air Force, an action that people in the area are still celebrating two weeks on.
Reign of Terror
The reign of the late 38-year-old Halilu Sububu was a dark period in the affected states in particular and Nigeria in general. His birth name was Halilu Jammare. His mother hails from the Niger Republic, while his father is from Jajjaye, a village close to Sububu, in Zamfara. He was described as a notorious figure who leveraged his connections with terrorist groups in the Sahelian region, including Mali, Senegal, Niger, and Burkina Faso, to expand his illegal activities in gunrunning and mining. He took pride in his reputation as a reliable arms supplier for terrorists operating in the northern regions and openly boasted about it on social media.
The late terrorist kingpin was said to be responsible for multiple audacious attacks, including a military base assault in Katsina in 2021, that claimed many lives of soldiers. He wreaked havoc in Nigeria for years, operating with impunity from his forest stronghold in Zamfara State. His criminal empire was vast, with tentacles stretching across the border into Niger Republic, where he would often escape to after carrying out his nefarious activities in Nigeria. His illegal gold mining operation in Bagega and surrounding communities was a thriving enterprise. He controlled all mining sites in the area and holding local communities hostage.
Fear was a constant companion in communities in Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna States where he held in terror. Reports said he controlled vast territories of the Sububu Forest and masterminded countless kidnappings, killings, and terror attacks that left the region in a state of constant anxiety. His gang of ruthless bandits would swoop down on unsuspecting villages, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake.
Parents would whisper stories of Sububu’s brutality to their children, warning them never to stray far from home. Farmers, especially those who did not pay access money to bandits before going to their farmlands, would nervously glance over their shoulders as they tilled their fields, fearful of being ambushed
Finally neutralised
However, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in a daring ambush, troops killed the bandit leader in Kwaren Kirya, a community under Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, a feat that marked a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism and banditry in the region.
The ambush that killed Sububu was described as a masterstroke by the troops, who had been tracking the bandit leader for months. Sububu’s camp on the western side of Bagega was a fortress, but the troops were able to breach it and take out the notorious bandit leader and 38 others, an operation described as a major blow to terrorism and banditry in the region, and a proof of the bravery and determination of the troops
Make of recovered ammunition
The five AK-47 rifles recovered from the neutralized bandits are a type of assault rifle that is simple to operate, though rugged and reliable, security operatives told Saturday Vanguard. These arms have a long-stroke gas system that makes them highly reliable in adverse conditions.
The rifles use a 7.62-mm round and have a cyclic firing rate of 600 rounds per minute. They are also capable of both semiautomatic (which automatically ejects the spent cartridge and chambers a new round) and automatic fire, also known as machine gun fire, which continues as long as the trigger is held down and there is ammunition in the weapon.
Additionally, three PKT machine guns, 29 magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition of varying calibers were recovered, according to a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
Happy Mood
People rejoiced on the streets, celebrating the end of an era of fear and terror. The killing of another vicious terrorist, Buhari Halidu, aka “Buharin Yadi”, who also wreaked havoc on innocent citizens in multiple locations, also elicited joy in the affected states in the northwest region of the country.
In a video that went viral, a group of villagers who were once held captive by Halilu Sububu and Halidu’s gangs were seen jubilating and singing victory songs in their local dialect. Some of them identified one of the bullet-ridden bodies as Halidu’s, whom they said lived in the same community with them but made them go through hell.
President Tinubu, governors too
President Bola Tinubu and governors from the Northern states commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their valor and precision in taking down the notorious terrorist kingpins. Tinubu described the success as proof that the country’s security operatives were up to the task of ensuring the peace and security of the nation.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State could not hide his joy when he spoke in a television interview, describing Sububu’s killing in particular as a major victory.
He said, “I’m one of the happiest persons, considering what we are going through in Zamfara State, as far as banditry is concerned. As you know, Halilu Sububu was one of the major kingpins in terms of bandits in Zamfara and the northern part of the country. He controlled a large chunk of bandits and was well-connected in terms of sourcing arms. But today, he’s been taken down.
Soldiers bravery hailed
The bravery of the 26 soldiers who took down Sububu was further hailed as a monumental breakthrough in the war against terrorism. Chief of Defence Staff announced a gift of N1m to the team,
Reaction over CDS N1m gift
However, many Nigerians feel that the reward of N1 million from the Chief of Defence Staff to the soldiers was a paltry sum compared to the magnitude of their sacrifice.
Besides, the Military in 2022, placed a N5 million bounty on Subudu’s head, as he was listed among some wanted terrorists for the second time in March 2024, highlighting his notoriety.
A security expert and fellow at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Bulama Bukarti,
has described the N1 million cast gift as unacceptable, urging President Bola Tinubu to offer national awards to the troops. He equally implored Nigerians to donate some money to better appreciate the 26 soldiers that went for the operation.
Bukarti in an X post on Sunday, September 15,2024, said “twenty-six gallant soldiers took down one of the most notorious bandit leaders, Halilu Sububu, in a daring operation.
”Despite their courage, the Chief of Defence Staff rewarded them with just N1 million, even though the Nigerian Army had placed a N5 million bounty on Sububu’s head in 2022.
That breaks down to only N38,000 per soldier.
Think about it. These men, who face death every day, were given less than N40,000 for one of the most significant victories in this war. Many of these soldiers earn about N50,000 a month and have families to support, while the bandits they fight are earning millions in ransom payments from every kidnapping.But their reward doesn’t reflect the magnitude of their sacrifice
“This is unacceptable. These gallant men and women deserve more than a token gesture. they deserve our full support. That’s why we are calling on the presidency to honour these soldiers with a National Award and a financial reward that truly reflects the magnitude of their sacrifice. This will not only recognise their bravery but also motivate them and others to pursue the remaining bandit leaders and gangs with renewed zeal.”
Nigerians donate
As a way of showing support for the soldiers, the hosts of Fashin Baki, a weekly Facebook show, took it upon themselves to donate N1.8 million to the soldiers and launch a fundraiser to ensure they received the recognition they truly deserved.
The solidarity response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with many Nigerians praising the soldiers for their bravery and selflessness. The hashtag #SupportOurSoldiers has been trending on social media, with many calling for greater recognition and reward for the soldiers’ sacrifice.
A Nigerian tweeted, “The soldiers who took down Halilu Sububu are heroes and deserve our full support. Let’s come together to show them that we value their service and sacrifice.” Another tweeted, “The killing of Sububu is a victory for Nigeria, and we must recognize the bravery and selflessness of our soldiers. Let’s stand with them and show our appreciation.”
THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED IN VANGUARD
