Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade, Katsina, in collaboration with the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, have successfully neutralized notorious bandit kingpin, Kamilu Chiroma, also known as Buzaro, along with several of his gang members in Katsina State.
The operation took place in the early hours of Monday, February 17, as part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat banditry and terrorism in the Northwestern region of the country.
This breakthrough was revealed on Tuesday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, via a post on his X handle.
According to Makama, the operation was based on actionable intelligence and thorough reconnaissance, which revealed that Buzaro and his gang had fortified themselves in defensive positions within the hills. Armed with sophisticated weaponry, they were reportedly preparing to ambush any advancing troops.
In response, a comprehensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform was deployed to monitor the area, confirming the bandits’ location and defensive setup. Ground forces moved swiftly to halt the bandits’ advance, while fighter jets carried out precision airstrikes on their hideout.
The aerial bombardment took the bandits by surprise, resulting in significant casualties among Buzaro’s fighters. Sources who witnessed the attack confirmed that several motorcycles used by the gang were destroyed, alongside a large cache of weapons.
Following the airstrike, ground troops moved in to clear the area, engaging any remaining threats and securing the location.
A top military official described the mission as “highly successful,” highlighting that the operation had dealt a severe blow to banditry in the region. This operation is seen as a major step in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria.
