In a major victory against terrorism, Nigerian Army troops have killed Baleri Fakai, a notorious bandit leader, during an operation in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Fakai, a close associate of the infamous bandit leader Bello Turji, was among 30 bandits neutralized in the region, according to reports confirmed on Monday.
Fakai, who had long evaded capture, had recently appeared in a viral TikTok video boasting of his exploits, but security analysts and military sources confirmed that his reign of terror has come to an end.
Former Presidential aide Bashir Ahmed shared the news of Fakai’s death on social media. Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ahmed said, “WONDERFUL: It has been confirmed that the joint security forces have eliminated the notorious bandit leader Baleri Fakai, along with 30 other terrorists, in Maru, Zamfara state. Baleri Fakai was a close ally to murderer Bello Turji, who will be joining him soon, In Sha Allah.”
Fakai’s death marks the fifth high-profile bandit leader killed in the past 72 hours. Troops from Operation Hadarin Daji previously announced the deaths of four other notorious bandit leaders— Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaleri — during a military operation that also neutralized Halilu Sububu, a key figure behind numerous terrorist activities in the Northwest.
In a related development, security forces captured another wanted terrorist kingpin, Hosseini Osman, in Ganawuri village, Plateau State. Osman, responsible for organizing deadly attacks and kidnappings in the region, confessed to leading multiple operations, including a recent assault on Ganawuri village that claimed several lives. Following his capture, troops mobilized to Kyaram village in Kanam Local Government Area and successfully rescued several kidnapped victims.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, troops launched a strategic ambush on Boko Haram fighters fleeing from the Sambisa Forest towards the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area. The ambush resulted in significant casualties among the terrorists and the seizure of a large cache of weapons and ammunition.
The recent string of successes in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism demonstrates the military’s ongoing commitment to restoring peace and security in the region.
