By Segun Onibiyo
Sokoto, Nigeria — In a major counterterrorism victory, the Nigerian military has killed one of the country’s most feared criminal warlords, known as Dan Dari Biyar, during a joint security operation in Sokoto State, located in northwestern Nigeria near the border with Niger Republic.
The takedown occurred on July 24, 2025, during a sweep codenamed Operation FANSAN YANMA (a Hausa phrase meaning “Sweeping Away Bandits”), which targeted the rural forest corridor between the villages of Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango-Yankuna in Sabon Birni, a remote county in Sokoto State. The area is notorious for harboring armed gangs due to its rugged terrain and proximity to the unpatrolled West African border.
“This is a big win, not just for Sokoto, but for all Nigerians who have suffered under these gangs,” said Col. Abu Waqqas (Ret.), a former military strategist involved in counterterrorism planning.
A Ruthless Legacy
Dan Dari Biyar — a name that translates to “Man with Five Lives” due to his repeated escapes from law enforcement — rose from a local cattle rustler to become a brutal gang leader behind mass killings, kidnappings, and village raids across Nigeria’s northwest region.
Between 2022 and 2025, his criminal network was responsible for:
· A 2022 raid on Tsamaye Market that left 27 dead.
· A 2023 school abduction in Ungwan Lalle where dozens of children were kidnapped and a ransom of over ₦70 million (roughly $46,000) was demanded.
· A 2024 attack on farming communities in Gidan Sale, killing 14 and stealing livestock.
· And most recently, a 2024 highway ambush that killed 19 travelers between Sabon Birni and Goronyo.
He became infamous for saying, “₦500 is worth more to me than a Hausa man’s life,” a chilling reference to the ethnic Hausa majority in northern Nigeria.
How the Raid Unfolded
Acting on community intelligence, soldiers ambushed Biyar in the early hours as he tried to collect ransom money from families of kidnap victims. Security forces recovered weapons, ammunition, and encrypted communication devices at the scene.
The Sabon Birni forest corridor, where the ambush occurred, has long served as a base for criminal gangs due to its dense forest cover and its location just miles from the Niger Republic border — a major smuggling and escape route.
“These guys know the terrain better than anyone,” said Dr. Bala Abdullahi, a retired military intelligence officer. “Killing a leader helps, but if you don’t hold the ground afterward, the cells regenerate.”
Locals Break the Silence
What made this operation different was community cooperation. For years, fear of reprisals silenced villagers. But escalating violence pushed them to act.
“We were tired of burying our children,” said Alhaji Sani Bello, village head of Ungwan Lalle, in a phone interview with TruthNigeria reporter.
“They stormed our homes at night and dragged people away,” added Fatima Ibrahim, a survivor from Tsamaye, who spoke to TruthNigeria in Hausa via telephone.
The Nigerian military has reinforced patrols in the area and is working with local volunteers — farmers and hunters — under Sokoto’s Community Protection Initiative to escort displaced residents back to their villages before the harvest season begins.
A Warning from Security Experts
While the operation eliminated Biyar and three of his top lieutenants — known by their aliases Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu, and Ali Yar Daribiyar — security experts are cautious about declaring victory.
“This was a symbolic strike, but the fight isn’t over,” said Nnenna Eze of the West Africa Security Observatory. “Unless the state establishes a permanent presence in these regions, the cycle of violence could resume.”
Sokoto State: A Flashpoint in Nigeria’s Security Crisis
Sokoto State, though rich in Islamic and cultural history, is one of Nigeria’s poorest and most insecure regions. Situated about 500 miles northwest of Nigeria’s capital Abuja, it borders Niger Republic and has become a frontline in the battle against banditry and terrorism. The wider region — which includes Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States — has seen thousands killed and tens of thousands displaced in the past five years.
A Fragile Turning Point
This latest military success offers a glimmer of hope but also reveals how deeply insecurity has eroded civilian life in northern Nigeria.
“This is not the end,” said Col. Waqqas. “But it could be the turning point — if we can keep building trust between villagers and the state.”
Timeline of Dan Dari Biyar’s Major Crimes
Date Location Incident
May 2022 Tsamaye Market 27 traders killed; dozens abducted
August 2023 Ungwan Lalle School Schoolchildren kidnapped; ₦70m ransom demanded
Feb 2024 Gidan Sale Farms 14 farmers killed; livestock stolen
Oct 2024 Goronyo-Sabon Birni Rd 19 motorists killed in convoy ambush
July 2025 Turtsawa Forest Killed in military ambush during ransom collection
Segun Onibiyo reports on terrorism, politics, and national security for TruthNigeria.
