By Our Crime Correspondent
The Kaduna State Government has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit kingpin, Boderi Isyaku, during a military onslaught by troops of the One Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army.
A statement by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the bandit leader alongside some of his fighters was killed in a gun battle with troops around Bada and Riwaya general areas of Chikun and Igabi local government areas of the State.
The statement said the death of the bandits was confirmed to the Kaduna State Government by security officials carrying out internal security operations and diligent checks from human intelligence sources.
It said that the operation was coordinated by the General Officer Commanding the One Mechanised Division, Major General Valentine Okoro, who doubles as the Commander of Operation Whirl Punch.
According to the statement, the troops had on Wednesday night come in contact with Boderi and his fighters around the Bada General Area in Chikun Local Government Area where they ambushed the bandit kingpin and his men.
During the ensuing confrontation, Boderi chose to resist the troops and engaged them in a fierce firefight, during which he was ultimately subdued by the troops along with two of his lieutenants.
Boderi, as he was simply known, had for nearly a decade, propagated a reign of fear, death, and destruction in Kaduna and neighbouring Niger State, with a trademark of brutal attacks, mass abductions, and cruel, relentless killings.
His elimination, therefore, comes as the culmination of tireless efforts by dedicated troops committed to restoring peace and security in the North-West region.
Part of the statement reads:
The elimination of Boderi Isyaku, as a notable milestone in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry, demonstrates the effectiveness of determined and coordinated efforts by security forces in confronting those who seek to spread fear and chaos.
Boderi, known for his ruthlessness and cunning, had long eluded the grasp of security forces while orchestrating the kidnappings of prominent figures, innocent civilians, school children and students with impunity.
His activities not only caused untold pain to thousands of victims and families but also posed a stiff challenge to law enforcement agents, who, at various times were only a whisker away from apprehending this menace.
Boderi was involved in a range of deadly attacks spanning Sabon Birni, Rigasa, Buruku, Gwagwada, Rijana and Kateri general areas, the Kaduna-Abuja Road, the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, as well as Shiroro, Alawa, and Mangoro general areas of neighbouring Niger State. His activities included vast and elaborate operations in cattle rustling and gunrunning.
He was also known to have built a close rapport with terrorist groups, collaborating with them towards establishing footholds in these areas. Recent intelligence reports revealed his plans to attack a school in his sphere of operation. Those plans have been thankfully truncated.
It was Boderi, who plotted and executed the 11th March 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, 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 the 24th of 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 abducted. Weeks later, on 14th 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.
These are a few highlights in the profile of a mindless monster, fueled by undiluted hate and evil, veiled underneath an apparently harmless, innocent and youthful exterior. Without a doubt, this baby-faced terror was one of the most dangerous individuals in the country, single-handedly tearing apart the lives of entire communities across several States.
Receiving the report, Governor Sani expressed his elation at the development, which he described as a pointer to the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved. The Governor commended Major General Okoro, for his stellar leadership, and praised the troops for their assertive victory.
Governor Sani went on to assure security forces in Kaduna State of his unflinching support and readiness to sustain cooperation, towards the successful achievement of their objectives.
In the wake of this development, authorities and members of the public must be informed that some of Boderi’s associates and gang members sustained gunshot injuries during that decisive encounter. Citizens in the general area and beyond are therefore enjoined not to render assistance (medical or otherwise) to individuals carrying such suspicious injuries, but to immediately report these persons to security agencies.
The Kaduna State Security Operations Room is available 24 hours a day to receive reports of this nature, on the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999.
