In a significant victory against terrorism, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced the death of notorious terrorist leader Halilu Sububu, along with 38 of his followers. The operation took place near Mayanchi, Zamfara State, on September 12, 2024.
Sububu was a notorious figure in the region, known for his audacious attacks across several states, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna. One of his most infamous actions was an attack on a military base in Katsina in 2021, which resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers.
The successful operation against Sububu comes just hours after the Nigerian Army reported the death of another terrorist kingpin in Zamfara State, Halilu Buzu, highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian military to combat terrorism in the region.
Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, confirmed the death of Sububu in a statement on Friday.
He detailed the operation, saying, “In a decisive joint operation led by three personnel of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces, a notorious bandit, Halilu Sububu, and over 38 terrorists were neutralized during an engagement near Mayanchi on 12 September 2024.”
Ali emphasized that the operation was part of an ongoing effort by the NAF and ground forces to secure the area and neutralize hostile elements. He also highlighted the significant recovery of weapons during the mission, which included three PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, 29 magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition of varying calibers.
“NAF Special Forces of Operation HADARIN DAJI, in the company of other ground troops, initiated a follow-up exploitation mission after troops encountered terrorists in the vicinity of Mayanchi. During the mission, it was confirmed that 38 terrorists had been neutralized, with four bodies retrieved for verification,” Ali said.
In addition to the neutralization of the terrorists, the operation also led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons, including two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, one RPG bomb, three PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, 29 magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Group Captain Ali praised the professionalism and effectiveness of the NAF Special Forces, stating, “This operation underscores the effectiveness and professionalism of the NAF Special Forces in leading critical missions in conjunction with other services aimed at neutralizing threats and maintaining national security.”