‘Dan Zuru’ Killed by Fulani Ethnic Terrorists Allied with Turncoat Tribal Mercenaries
By Ekani Olikita
(Makurdi) For many years, Dan Zuru, a gallant police officer and the Commander of Anyam Nyor (a joint Security Taskforce in charge of Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala counties, also known as Sankera), stood as a shield for the people of Sankera against the waves of insecurity, orchestrated by Fulani and local Tiv militia.
Danlami Usman (popularly known as Dan Zuru) known for legendary courage, lost his life Sept. 19 alongside 15 of his men who were ambushed and killed by a combined force of Tiv mercenaries and Fulani ethnic militia. His death sent shockwaves throughout northern Benue’s Sankera region.
Dan Zuru was leading a clearance mission in Benue’s Northeast county of Katsina-Ala along Agu Center area of Mbatula/Mberev Ward, near Peva and Chanchangi settlements in Taraba State, a shocking end for a man to tens of thousands who respected him.
Fulani ethnic militias, who are Muslims, have killed more than 55,000 Nigerians over the past four years, according to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA). The Fulani, a cattle-herding people spread across West Africa, are linked to regional jihadist conflicts and local terror campaigns
In Benue State, Tiv is the largest tribe, 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria and are 98 percent Christians (mostly Catholics). Nigeria’s complex civil conflict has been made the more intractable by the rise of Tiv armed gangs serving as paid mercenaries for Fulani ethnic cleansing militia.
How Dan Zuru, others were Ambushed
“We received credible report about armed Fulani and local Tiv militia, regrouping at Agu Center Area in Katsina-Ala County,” according to a policeman speaking to TruthNigeria on background. “A joint security team led by Dan Zuru of 100 men, selected from Operation Zenda, Operation Anyam Nyor (all are affiliates of the Nigerian Police Force, paid by the Federal Government), Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BNSCPG), Nigeria Forest Security Service (NHFSS), local vigilantes, was mobilized to confront and dislodge them on Friday, September 19, 2025
“We were not aware of reinforcements recruited by Fulani terrorists who were joined at Agu Centre by local Tiv bandits in the area and hired mercenaries from neighboring Taraba State numbering in the hundreds,” the source said.
“It was, therefore, a near overwhelming force that our team came up against when the bloody battle began,” he added.
“We were met by a superior firepower unleashed by the enemy force, who were using high calibers of automatic weapons including, AK-47s, Small Machine Guns (SMGs) and Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers (RPG),” he continued.
“Dan Zuru, and two subcommanders named John Bushman and Mike Tuurga kept the engagement and covering fire while ordering the rest of the team members to retreat, and it was in the course of this that Commander Tuurga was shot on his arm,” he went on to say.
“The terrorists sensing a breach in the defense shield from the angle of fire earlier covered by the wounded Commander Tuurga, surged forward, but Bushman ducked under a hail of fire to take control of the gun-truck which left untended by the gunner who might have fallen in the initial fire”
Bushman engaged the machine gun on the gun-truck, and wreaked havoc on the enemy, giving Tuurga and the rest of us the needed covering fire to retreat into escape, with Dan Zuru still pinning down the main body of terrorists under withering fire,” according to the eyewitness.
“It was when the chain ammunition feeding the machine gun on the gun-truck had ran out and Bushman, without the assistance of a gun-hand, had no time to quickly break open and load a new chain-feed that Dan Zuru had given him, he heard the order to dismount the machine gun and escape with it, which he did successfully, with his superior officer giving him covering fire,” the witness continued.
“Dan Zuru held his ground to the end to ensure that our men who were still engaging our enemies had chance to escape,” the witness said.
“He was listed among those missing in action and was found dead on Saturday, September 20, 2025. We lost 16, as well as 3 trucks and motorcycles which were destroyed by enemy RPG fire,” the survivor said.
‘I want to Replace my Father in the Anti-Terrorism War’– Dan Zuru’s Son
“My father was a brave man who hardly came home to see us because of the lingering insecurity in Sankera,” according to his son, Mohammed, who spoke to
TruthNigeria at Dan Zuru’s home at Mobile-Police Barrack (Mopol-13) Makurdi.
“His death came to us as a rude shock, but we can’t question God. If I have the opportunity, I want to replace my father in the Nigerian Police Force so that, I can continue and complete the good work he was doing before his death”, Mohammad said.
Dan Zuru died for Benue People — DSP Anene
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Catherine Anene, who was Former Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Police Command and now, the Divisional Police Officer (DPP), B Division Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, told TruthNigeria, the late Dan Zuru was a brave Police officer who sacrificed his life while protecting the people of Benue State
“I knew him for more than 10 years. He had been in the bush fighting armed bandits and had no time with his family until his last breath. His death is a heavy blow to the ongoing fight against armed Banditry and Terrorism in the state”, Anene said.
“The relative peace we are enjoying today in Sankera was chiefly brought by Dan Zuru,” according to Elder Theophilus Ahangba Ayati, Benue State Director of Information and a Community Leader from Ayati Community in Ukum County. Ayati called Dan Zuru “irreplaceable.”
“He was always engaging local and Fulani terrorists, taking them off from Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala forests. This is a big setback to peace in Sankera, it is difficult to get someone to fill the vacuum Dan Zuru left behind”, Ayati said.
Benue State most famous Blogger and Media Influencer, Ukan Kurugh said, the bereaved family of late Dan Zuru needs urgent help.
“Dan Zuru’s family urgently needs foods, funds to pay the children’s school fees and health. His son, Mohamed, should also be enrolled into the Nigerian Police Force through Police Cadet since he has interest,” Kurugh told TruthNigeria after visiting the family at Mopol-13 Makurdi.
Ekani Olikita is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
