Nigerian Army troops on Thursday, eliminated a notorious terrorist kingpin, Halilu Buzu, along with several of his fighters during a fierce confrontation in Zamfara State.
Buzu, a well-known figure in the region, was regarded as the mentor and superior to the infamous terrorist leader, Bello Turji.
This operation comes shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, vowed earlier in the week to capture Turji.
In an update shared on Friday via X, the Army revealed that Buzu and his men mounted a fierce resistance during the clash but were ultimately overpowered by the overwhelming firepower of the troops.
The Army’s statement read, “In a ferocious strike, troops in a deliberate and discreetly coordinated offensive have on Thursday, September 12, 2024, eliminated a terrorist kingpin, infamously known as Halilu Buzu and a good number of his fighters in Mayanchi village.
“The troops took the offensive to the notorious terrorists’ identified crossing point in Mayanchi, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“The terrorist kingpin and his fighters, who put up fierce resistance on encountering the troops, however, succumbed to the overwhelming firepower of the valiant troops.”
The operation targeted a key crossing point for terrorists in Mayanchi village within Maru Local Government Area, known as a stronghold for criminal elements.
The firefight saw Buzu’s group initially attempt to defend their territory but falter in the face of a calculated and heavily armed military strike.
In the aftermath of the operation, troops recovered a significant cache of weapons and other items from the battlefield, which included two rocket-propelled grenade guns, three PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and 30 motorcycles often used by the terrorists for mobility.
The Army detailed the seized items, stating, “On winning the firefight, the troops recovered two Rocket Propelled Grenade guns, three PKT guns, five AK-47 rifles, 479 rounds of PKT ammunition, 366 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, 182 rounds of Machine Gun 1 ammunition, one RPG bomb, 29 AK-47 magazines, 30 motorcycles, two Android phones, and two Yeekee phones.
“Troops have also destroyed the terrorists’ camp and are currently conducting further exploitation in the general engagement area and even beyond,” the Army added, signaling that their offensive operations would continue to pursue remnants of the terrorist network in the area.
This successful operation is seen as a significant blow to the terror group in Zamfara, as Buzu’s death is expected to weaken their command structure and further disrupt their activities in the region.
The military continues to intensify efforts to capture or neutralize other prominent terrorist leaders, such as Bello Turji, in its ongoing campaign to restore peace and security in northern Nigeria.
