Nigerian army kills notorious bandit leader, Boderi in Kaduna

Notorious bandit leader Boderi Isyaku, who has been terrorising Chikun Local Government Area, some parts of Niger State and the Northwest region, has been killed by the army.

The notorious bandit was neutralised in a gun battle alongside some of his fighters by troops of the Nigerian Army around Bada/Riyawa general areas of Chikun and Igabi LGAs of Kaduna State on Wednesday, reports say.

In a statement on its X handle, The NA said troops ambushed the terrorists, and six members of the gang were neutralised, and weapons and ammunition were recovered with 19 motorcycles.

“In a separate operation, conducted by troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday, 22 February 2024, the gallant troops successfully ambushed marauding insurgents along the Bada – Riyawa axis on the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road. In the encounter, troops neutralised six insurgents and recovered two AK 47 rifles, five AK 47 rifle magazines, 300 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 19 motorcycles, which were destroyed in situ.”

In the statement, the NA said it is making efforts to ascertain the identity of Boderi, who masterminded high-profile kidnaps, including the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 2021.

“Intelligence sources are reporting that the notorious bandit Kingpin Boderi, who orchestrated many high profile kidnappings including the Yauri school girls, Greenfield University and Nigerian Defence Academy attacks, was killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in the ambush. Efforts are on to authenticate this using other means,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government confirmed the killing of the notorious kidnapper. In a statement by the overseeing Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Thursday, he said the incident was reported to the government by the security officers carrying out internal operations.

The statement titled “Target Acquired, Justice Served: Boderi Falls To Security Forces” said, “Boderi, as he was simply known, had for nearly a decade propagated a reign of fear, death and destruction in Kaduna State and neighbouring Niger State, with a trademark of brutal attacks, mass abductions and cruel, relentless killing. His elimination comes as the culmination of tireless efforts by dedicated troops committed to restoring peace and security in the region.

“The General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army (and Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch) Major General VU Okoro, coordinated the operation through meticulous planning and intelligence.”

Aruwan added, “It was Boderi who plotted and executed the 11 March 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi LGA. This high-profile kidnapping generated shock waves and massive panic around the country as dozens of young students were whisked away and their families left to deal with unimaginable turmoil.

“On 24 August 2021, Boderi masterminded another deadly attack, this time on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Igabi LGA. Two officers were killed, and another was abducted. Weeks later, on 14 September 2021, Boderi led his gang of bandits in the kidnapping of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Atto, around Dutse village, Chikun LGA. The Emir’s Police Detail was killed,” the statement read in parts.

He said some of the bandits fled with severe injuries and encouraged citizens not to offer any help to anyone with suspicious injuries but to immediately report to security.

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