Troops neutralise two notorious bandit leaders, Ma’oli, Kachalla Muchelli, other terrorists

• The outlaws were neutralised alongside a horde of their foot soldiers and other terrorists by the Nigerian troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.

Two notorious and fearsome bandit leaders, who are wreaking havoc in States across Nigeria’s north west region, have been killed.

The outlaws were neutralised alongside a horde of their foot soldiers and other terrorists by the Nigerian troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.

The criminal elements were gunned down in Katsina and Zamfara States as part of continued onslaught against criminal elements in the North West.

Notorious kingpin, Alhaji Ma’oli and unspecified number of terrorists were killed in Katsina after troops swooped in on them during an operation in Mai Sheka village, Kunchin Kalgo town.

According to Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, intelligence sources said Ma’oli was responsible for imposing levies and engaging in criminal activities in Unguwan Rogo, Mai Sheka, Magazawa, Unguwar Dan Halima, Unguwar Dan Mairo, and Katangan Yamma.

Similarly in Zamfara State, troops of Counter Terrorism Team 7 (CT 7) on patrol along the Bilbis-Danjigba axis under Tsafe Local Government Area encountered bandits during a fighting patrol on December 25.

During the engagement, Kachalla Muchelli, a notorious bandit commander identified as the leader of the Kuchi Kalgo camp, was neutralized.

The publication said: “Military sources confirmed that these operations form part of ongoing efforts to eliminate banditry and terrorism in the region.”