Reports say troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday 21 February 2024, neutralized a notorious bandit kingpin simply identified as Boderi who was said to have masterminded several high-profile abductions including the Yauri school girls, Greenfield University and the Nigerian Defence Academy attacks.
In a statement issued on 22 February, 2024 by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Boderi was said to have been eliminated alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in the military ambush.
Nwachukwu who revealed that the operation was carried out in an ambush along the Bada – Riyawa axis on the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road, also noted that in the encounter, troops killed 6 insurgents and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 5 AK 47 rifle magazines, 300 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 19 motorcycles which were destroyed.
He disclosed further; “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. Efforts are on to authenticate this using other means”.
It was also gathered that in another operation in the Igabi, Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, the troops of the 1 Division killed terrorists and recovered more firearms and ammunition.
Nwachukwu said that the troops have tighten ongoing operations to flush out the insurgents from the affected areas in order to bring succor to the people.
According to the army director of public relations who stated that the army troops, while on a patrol, got engaged in a gunfire duel with insurgents along the Maganda-Dausayi – Mugaba axis, revealed that though the number of insurgents couldn’t be determined, the “troops neutralized 2 of the insurgents and recovered 1 AK 47 rifle,1 AK 47 Magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62mm Special , 1 Techno phone, 3 Hilux and motorcycle keys, wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana, tramadol tablets and the sum of 13,200 Naira only,” in the gun duel that lasted for about an hour.
“While on a fighting patrol along the Maganda-Dausayi – Mugaba axis, troops came under fire from insurgents who employed rustled herds of cattle as shields while they engaged the troops with direct fire.
“The insurgents whose number could not be ascertained fired several shots at the troops from the cover of the herds of livestock prompting an immediate response from troops.
“Unfortunately, in the encounter, some of the rustled livestock used as a shield 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.” The statement added.
He called on the general public to continue to cooperate with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency across the country.
