Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a significant victory against banditry in Northwest Nigeria, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralized the notorious bandit kingpin known as ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ during a targeted clearance operation in Sokoto State’s Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted on Friday, successfully eliminated the feared criminal while he was attempting to collect ransom payments from relatives of kidnapped victims in the forested corridor spanning Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango villages.
Dan Dari Biyar had established a reign of terror across Sokoto East Senatorial District, with his operational base deep within the dense Tidibale forest. Military intelligence reports confirmed his involvement in coordinated attacks on Lalle, Tsamaye, and Gwaronyo communities, infamous burning of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis, numerous kidnappings, ambushes, and deliberate setting properties ablaze.
Dari biyar was Known for his particular cruelty, frequently taunted and psychologically tortured his captives before demanding exorbitant ransoms, making his elimination a critical breakthrough in regional security efforts.
The successful mission was executed by a joint task force comprising Nigerian Army Special Operations personnel and Local security volunteers under Sokoto State’s Community Protection Initiative, following a successful mission, security forces recovered multiple firearms and ammunition, Communication equipment used for coordinating attacks and a kidnap victims
While celebrating this tactical victory, security forces have intensified pursuit operations targeting fleeing members of Biyar’s dismantled network. The military high command has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations to completely eradicate bandit enclaves of Sabon Birni forest belt a Border regions with Niger Republic and other Other identified hideouts in Sokoto East
This development marks a crucial milestone in Operation FANSAN YANMA’s broader campaign to restore security in Northwest Nigeria, coming just weeks after troops destroyed several bandit camps in neighboring Zamfara State. Local communities have welcomed the news while calling for sustained military presence to prevent retaliatory attacks.
Security analysts Makama Zaga note that Biyar’s elimination disrupts kidnapping networks in the Sokoto Zamfara corridor, also demonstrates improved intelligence sharing between military and local volunteers and validates the effectiveness of community based security approaches.
The Sokoto State Government has pledged continued support for military operations while initiating psychosocial support programs for victims of banditry across affected communities.
Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements as security forces work to completely dismantle remaining criminal elements in the region.