In a decisive operation, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade, Katsina, alongside the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, successfully neutralized notorious bandit kingpin Kamilu Chiroma, also known as Buzaro, along with several of his gang members in Katsina State.
The operation occurred during the early hours of Monday, February 17, highlighting the intensified efforts by security agencies to counter banditry across Northwestern Nigeria.
According to Zagazola Makama, a specialist in counter-insurgency strategies focused on the Lake Chad region, this operation was fueled by actionable intelligence regarding Buzaro’s movements and defensive preparations in the hills.
Intelligence sources reported that the bandits were armed with sophisticated weapons and had set up for an ambush against approaching troops. In response, an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform was deployed to confirm the bandits’ fortifications.
Ground forces effectively halted the bandits’ advance, while fighter jets conducted precise airstrikes on their hideouts. The bombardment, reported to be highly successful, caught Buzaro’s fighters by surprise, resulting in significant casualties among their ranks.
Impeccable sources indicated that several motorcycles used by the gang were destroyed, along with a substantial cache of weapons.
Following the airstrikes, ground troops moved in to clear the area, engaging any remaining threats and securing the location. A top military official described the mission as “very successful,” emphasizing its impact on disrupting bandit operations in the region.
Nigerian troops neutralize notorious bandit kingpin, Kamilu Buzaro, several fighters in Katsina
