Details have emerged revealing how Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo, a notorious bandit and close ally of Kachalla Turji, alongside six bandit commanders, were killed in a village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Naija News gathered that Danbokolo and other commanders were neutralised during a fierce a gun battle with operatives of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG) on Sunday.
Sources said the gunfight, which lasted for two hours, also resulted in the deaths of over a 100 bandit foot soldiers of Danbokolo, who is widely regarded as one of the most feared bandits in the North West.
Speaking to Daily Trust, a source said: “Danbokolo was killed by personnel of the Zamfara CPG. The operatives ambushed his gang while they were en route to a forest. He was first shot in the leg and tried to escape, but the CPG team continued pursuing him.
“Due to the severity of the injury, he lost a lot of blood and was eventually unable to move. When the CPG operatives caught up with him, they beheaded and dismembered him.
“We are happy that this ruthless bandit is dead. He was wicked and heartless, showing no mercy when attacking villages. He abducted numerous people from surrounding communities.”
Another source added that after Danbokolo, who was a key ally of the notorious bandit leader Kachalla Bello Turji, was shot, his foot soldiers carried him across several villages in search of medical help, but he ultimately died as no one agreed to treat him.
Sources claimed that Kachalla Yellow was behind attacked across Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo, Gwadabawa, Shinkafi, Raba, and the Gundumi Forest, which were all linked to Bello Turji.
One of the sources said, “Kachalla Turji was devastated and weakened by Danbokolo’s death. He was a pillar of strength in Turji’s operations. Though six other commanders were also killed, Danbokolo’s death hit Turji the hardest.
“Information reaching us indicates that Turji is confused and reportedly planning to flee to the Niger Republic, and possibly to Chad. The ongoing joint military operation by Nigerian forces is seriously impacting the bandits, especially with the suspension of GSM services, which has severely disrupted their communication.
“If the network were still active, the bandits would have called for reinforcements from across the state and even beyond.”
A source told Daily Trust that the bandits were ambushed by a joint team of security operatives comprising personnel from the Joint Task Force, Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG), the Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The source explained, “We received information that Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo had invited six other bandit leaders to plan coordinated attacks on major towns and villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
“Danbokolo was said to have led the planned operation, which was likely intended as a reprisal for the losses Turji’s group suffered last week.
“However, acting on intelligence, the security forces set up an ambush and engaged them in a gunfight. During the exchange, Danbokolo and the six commanders were killed.
“As defeat loomed, the remaining bandits tried to retreat into the forest, but security forces pursued and sustained the offensive.”
“Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo was responsible for the abduction and killing of Sarkin Gobir Muhammad Bawa.
“He also masterminded numerous attacks in Sokoto East and parts of Zamfara, particularly the Shinkafi axis. He had been terrorising towns and villages in Sokoto, Zamfara, and parts of the Niger Republic for several years, abducting and killing countless people.
“We thank God he’s finally dead. Our hope now is that Bello Turji will be the next to fall. We want this era of banditry to end once and for all,” another source added.
A resident expressed relief and joy over Danbokolo’s death, saying “We are in a celebratory mood. It’s almost unbelievable that Danbokolo, whose name used to strike fear into our hearts, is finally gone.
“I can confidently say he was the real commander behind the scenes. Turji merely relayed messages, but Danbokolo executed the atrocities.”
“It wasn’t just Danbokolo who was killed, at least 180 of his loyal fighters were also eliminated and buried over the past week. Many others have fled. We see them fleeing after every raid on their camps,” he added.