Nigerian Army Confirms Killing Of Notorious Bandit Boderi In Kaduna

The Nigerian Army on Thursday confirmed that the bandit kingpin Boderi, accused of kidnapping many high-profile people in the northern part of the country, has been killed alongside some of his fellow bandits in Kaduna.

Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said that Boderi was behind the kidnappings of the Yauri school girls, attacking Greenfield University and the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

Nwachukwu said that Boderi was killed alongside another bandit named Bodejo and a few more insurgents on Wednesday by the Nigerian Army near Kaduna – Birnin Gwari road. However, the spokesperson said there are ongoing efforts to authenticate the information.

"In a separate operation, conducted by troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday 22 February 2024, the gallant troops successfully ambushed marauding insurgents along the Bada – Riyawa axis on the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road," he said, Premium Times reported.

During the encounter, the troops neutralized six insurgents and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 5 AK 47 rifle magazines, 300 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, and 19 motorcycles, which were later destroyed.

He added, "Intelligence sources are reporting that the notorious bandit Kingpin Boderi who orchestrated many high-profile kidnappings including the Yauri school girls, Greenfield University, and Nigerian Defence Academy attacks was killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in the ambush."

The army troops operating in the 1 Division area of responsibility along the Maganda-Dausayi-Mugaba axis killed two more insurgents.

The officials were able to recover one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 Magazine, three rounds of 7.62mm Special, one Techno phone, three Hilux and motorcycle keys, and some wraps of substance, suspects to be marijuana, tramadol tablets alongside N13,200 cash.

"Unfortunately, in the encounter, some of the rustled livestock used as shields by the insurgents were caught in the crossfire. Troops are still on the trail of the fleeing insurgents and remain resolute on ridding the area of responsibility of armed violence," he added.

The spokesperson urged all the citizens to support the Nigerian army and other security agencies in the ongoing war against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a hotspot for kidnappings and has seen an outbreak of cases in recent years – 3,620 people were abducted in the country from July 2022 to June 2023 alone.

Last year, President Bola Tinubu said "criminal adventurers" and their local collaborators are sabotaging Nigeria's economy, and they won't be tolerated anymore.