The reign of terror for one of the most feared bandit kingpins in Nigeria’s Northwest, Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo, has come to a definitive end.
He died over the weekend from serious gun injuries sustained during a blistering surprise attack by the Shinkafi Volunteer Forces.
The death and the decimation of Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo fighting force have been met with widespread jubilation, particularly in Kurya District of Shinkafi Local Government Area, a community he had long terrorized.
According to security sources, Danbokolo, whom residents describe as the “man behind the mask” and the “executioner of all the evil,” was killed alongside more than 173 of his fighters.
These sources confirmed that Kachalla died over the weekend and was buried on Saturday.
The successful onslaught is being hailed as a major blow to the banditry network in the region.
Residents of the affected areas are in a celebratory mood, expressing disbelief that the man whose name struck fear in their hearts is no more.
One villager stated, “It is hard to believe that Danbokolo, a man whose name used to strike fear in our hearts, is no more.
I can authoritatively tell you that Danbokolo is the man behind the mask.
He is the overall commander. Turji merely communicates, while dreaded Danbokolo is the executioner of all the evil.”
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The sustained strikes by the volunteer forces on the bandits’ main stronghold are the first of their kind since the onset of organized banditry in the region and have left the criminal elements in disarray.
Another resident confirmed that “known loyalists of Turji are now in a state of fear and confusion, and that some are now seeking to surrender as they see the end in sight.“ He added that Bello Turji and some of his foot soldiers have begun to “desperately beg for amnesty,“ a sign that their days are numbered.
While security sources would not officially confirm the Department of State Services (DSS) role in the recent operations, they noted that the secret police has maintained a “stealth mode” in these onslaughts.
However, the volunteer forces continue to reference support from the agency.
The local population is massively jubilating, with farmers expressing relief that they will likely not have to pay illegal taxes to bandits this farming season.
The victory is being widely attributed to the intervention and efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.