Nigerian troops eliminate bandit leader, Alhaji Ma’oli, others in Zamfara

Nigerian Army has confirmed the elimination of a notorious bandit leader, Alhaji Ma’oli, along with several of his accomplices, during a military operation in Zamfara State.

Lt. Col. Abdullahi Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre for Operation Hadarin Daji, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Gusau.

The operation, carried out by troops of 1 Brigade under Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, took place on December 26 in Maisheka village, near Kunchin Kalgo in Tsafe Local Government Area.

“The area is one of the local communities that had suffered under Ma’oli’s reign of terror,” Abdullahi stated.

He described Ma’oli as infamous for imposing illegal levies on residents in Unguwan Rogo, Mai Sheka, Magazawa, and neighboring areas in the Bilbis district of Tsafe.

“The neutralization of Ma’oli has brought relief and excitement to locals in the Bilbis general area,” he added.

The statement highlighted that the operation was launched following intelligence reports about armed terrorists on motorcycles operating in the Bilbis axis.

“Swift response by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji not only thwarted the terrorists’ plan to attack the locals but also reinforced the commitment to securing the area from further acts of violence,” Abdullahi said.

He reaffirmed the Joint Task Force’s commitment to pursuing and neutralizing remaining terrorists and their collaborators, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local communities to achieve lasting peace and security in Zamfara and beyond.

The successful operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region.