By Luka Binnyat and Olikita Ekani
(Kaduna) The killing of Mohammad Halilu Sububu, Thursday (12/09/2024) in a firefight with Nigerian troops in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, has sparked celebration in Africa’s most populated country.
An exultant President Ahmed Bola Tinubu said through the X handle of his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Sunday (15/09/2024) reads in part: “President Tinubu commends the military high command, the intelligence agencies, and the troops for their valiant efforts, synergy, and dedication, which have resulted in the recent laudable outcomes of eliminating some of the most violent criminals in the Northwest.
“The President also commends the entire security apparatus for the improved security in the nation and enjoins them to sustain their efforts until immediate and latent threats are permanently removed,” the statement reads in part.
Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff (CDS),Gen. Musa Christopher in a show of appreciation, Sunday (15/09/2024) doled out a gift of N1 million Naira ($600 dollars) to the 26 ground troops that were part of the operation, Daily Trust reports.
The President of the Middle Belt Forum, the socio-cultural body of all the ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt of Nigeria, otherwise Known as the “Christian Belt” of North Nigeria, Dr Bitrus, said in an exclusive chat with Truth Nigeria Monday (16/09/2024) that the killing of Sububu was a positive development that should be celebrated.
“We in the Middle Belt are in a joyful mood since the killing of Sububu who has been responsible for training evil bandits’ leaders that have been killing and kidnapping Hausa people — especially our people — in the Middle Belt,” he said in a phone interview with Truth Nigeria from Abuja.
“It is giving us hope that after the military has cleared the Northwest of these wicked people, they will have no excuse in coming to do same in the Middle Belt, which has been largely neglected,” he said.
The death of Sububu is currently the most celebrated issue on most social media of the Hausa groups.
“We the owners of the lands now occupied by the Fulani terrorists in Hausa States are grateful to Allah and to President Ahmed Tinubu for ending the life of Halilu Sububu, the root of modern banditry and an agent of Dan-Fodio-style Jihad in Hausa land,” writes Hajia, Kaltum Alumbe Jitami in her WhatsApp administered group “Hausa Land, Wake Up” Saturday 14th September, 2024.
Alumbe is considered the most vocal voice against Fulani banditry and the major driver for Hausa Renaissance in Nigeria.
“With this development, we have no doubt that the end of Bello Turji, his boys, and other thieves in our bushes, will soon come to an end.
The killing of Sububu came less than 48 hours (10/09/2024) after General Christopher Musa declared war on Fulani Ethnic Militias, saying that they either leave Nigeria or face imminent death.
Confirming the death of Sububu in a statement on Friday (13/09/2024), the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain, Kabiru Ali said in a statement available to Truth Nigeria that: “NAF Special Forces of Operation HADARIN DAJI, in the company of other ground troops, initiated a follow-up exploitation mission after troops encountered terrorists in the vicinity of Mayanchi village, in Zamfara State.
‘During the mission, it was confirmed that 38 terrorists had been neutralized, with four bodies retrieved for verification.
“In addition to the elimination of the terrorists, a significant cache of weapons was recovered, including two Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, one RPG bomb, three PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, 29 magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition of varying calibres”, Capt Kabir said.
Retired Sergeant Saadu Moriki, now a farmer and an Imam (Islamic cleric) based in Moriki town,
confirmed what other residents said who were close to the theater of the operation where Sububu was killed.
Speaking to TruthNigeria Friday (13/09/2024) Moriki said:
“Halilu Sububu ran into a well-planned ambush in Mayanchi and chose to fight rather than surrender. After a fierce two-hour gun battle, he was killed by a precision shot to the forehead.”
The Nigerian Army also disclosed on Friday via X that its troops had successfully neutralized infamous terrorist kingpin known as Halilu Buzu and several of his fighters in a daring operation.
Alumbe, in an exclusive chat with Truth Nigeria, said that Sububu was responsible for the kidnapping and killing of the Hausa Emir of Gobir, Sokoto state among other heinous crimes spanning about 15 years.
According to the Army’s statement:
“In a ferocious strike, troops launched a deliberate and discreetly coordinated offensive on Thursday, September 12, 2024, eliminating Halilu Buzu and a significant number of his fighters in Mayanchi village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.”
The Army revealed that Buzu’s fighters fiercely resisted the troops but were ultimately overpowered.
“The terrorist kingpin and his fighters succumbed to the overwhelming firepower of the valiant troops,” the statement read.
The Army confirmed that troops destroyed the terrorists’ camp and are conducting further exploitation exercises in the area.
The killing of Sububu and Buzu would may send shockwaves to Bello Turji, other terrorists and many of them could be demoralized, according to Nigerian army sources..
Retired Sergeant Gambo Saadu Moriki praised the military’s decisive strike, telling TruthNigeria, “It seems like the Nigerian military has woken up again to the reality and is determined to rid the NorthWest of all terrorist groups and their leaders.”
Moriki cited several factors driving the renewed onslaught:
“The killing of the Gobir Chief by Fulani Ethnic Militia sparked outrage in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kaduna. The televised burning of Nigeria’s Army MRAP vehicle by Bello Turji’s men also provoked action. Most importantly, President Bola Tinubu directed service chiefs and Defense Ministers to relocate to the NorthWest and closely monitor operations there.
Again, there was a change in Nigeria’s military leadership with the new set determined to fight terrorists”
Moriki concluded, “Terrorist kingpins like Bello Turji, Kachalla, Ado Alero, and Dan Karama will likely be next on the kill list.”
Luka Binniyat and Olikita Ekani are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
