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| Troops secure the area after the raid. |
Soldiers launched a dawn assault on known terror camps around Garagi village. They moved in from three directions in a swift pincer move. The aim was to cut off escape routes along forest tracks. Local scouts guided troops through dense thicket.
By 7:00 a.m., troops engaged militants in heavy fire. A fierce exchange lasted nearly two hours. Then soldiers stormed the main hideout. In the skirmish, Mai Dada was shot dead.
Military sources say Mai Dada led over 200 fighters in Zamfara. He had staged raids on farms and villages in Maru LGA. The army reports seizing 1,050 rifles and pistols. They also recovered machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Security forces arrested 15 suspects at the camp.
A check of the site found bunkers with food and fuel. Troops destroyed multiple motorcycles used in raids. Estimated value of arms and gear tops ₦500 million.
Mai Dada rose from petty cattle rustling to terror kingpin. He terrorised communities in Maru and Talata Mafara LGAs. Witnesses recall mass kidnappings on state highways. He forced villagers to pay “protection” fees or face death.
Security agents linked him to at least five major mass raids since 2023. He evaded arrests with help from corrupt insiders. His network spanned Zamfara and Sokoto border forests. Some analysts say he had ties to larger terror cells.
While the army claims the kill, vigilante groups also said they killed Mai Dada. Vigilante members in Garagi village claimed they beheaded “Me Dada” on June 26. They say the body was taken to a local shrine. Army spokesmen say the vigilante boss may be a different man. A joint probe will use DNA to confirm identity.
Residents of Maru woke up to calm after weeks of fear. Farm work resumed the next day without armed escorts. Traders in Birnin-Zauma reported fuller markets by noon. Local police noted a drop in ransom demands.
Still, some villagers worry rival bandits will seek revenge. They fear fresh raids if troops pull back too soon. Community leaders urge sustained patrols on rural roads.
Numbers and Recoveries
Arms seized: 1,050 rifles and pistols
Explosives found: 40 grenades and RPG rounds
Motorbikes destroyed: 25 bikes
Suspects arrested: 15 men
Bandit gangs have roamed Zamfara forests since 2011. They clash with herders and farmers over land. Mass kidnappings peaked in 2021, with 200 schoolgirls taken. State data put bandit camps at over 100 in Zamfara. The governor said 30,000 armed men terrorise his state.
The conflict links to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. Weapons flow from Niger and Chad through forest routes. Poverty and youth unemployment feed bandit ranks.
Alhaji Ahmed Bakare, security analyst, warned the fight takes time. He said top sponsors must face justice. “The real power lies off-site,” he told reporters in Gusau. He praised army efforts but urged deeper probes.
Security experts note that community vigilantes play a key role. They help plug gaps in army patrols. But experts warn against abuse of power by vigilantes. A balance of state force and local action is vital.
Villagers now form local watch groups to spot bandit scouts. They clear forest paths for army movements. Farmers share intel on bike convoys on far roads. Local emirs and district heads meet weekly to review threats.
Yet some vigilante groups lack training and discipline. Cases of wrongful killings have surfaced in Talata Mafara. Human rights groups call for vetting and oversight.
Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle hailed the army’s win. He promised more armour and drones for troops. State funds will boost police housing and patrol boats.
At the centre, President Bola Tinubu commended the soldiers. He ordered tighter border checks with Niger. The Defence Ministry plans to train 5,000 more personnel.
With Mai Dada gone, rivals vie for command. Dogo GiÉ—e and Bello Turji remain at large. Army chiefs vow to hunt them next.
Experts say lasting peace needs jobs and schools. They urge better rural roads and clinics. Youth groups call for farming schemes and grants.
The death of Mai Dada marks a milestone in Zamfara’s struggle. But deep wounds remain in village hearts. A mix of force and hope must guide tomorrow. Civil society, government and army must hold hands.