Babaro, the infamous and deadly bandit leader, who reportedly kidnapped Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, is now reportedly holding him hostage in Bununu Forest, located in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA), near the border with Ƙankara LGA, Katsina State.
This was contained in a post by security analyst, Bakatsine on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
According to him, the revelation came from members of the Kandarawa community in Bakori LGA, who were also kidnapped by Babaro’s gang on January 14, 2025.
After paying a ransom of 30 million Naira, they were released and disclosed that they had seen Brig. Gen. Tsiga in captivity.
According to them, he was still being held at the time of their departure but was receiving proper care, including being provided with bottled water.
Babaro is a notorious bandit responsible for numerous attacks across the communities of Ƙankara, Malumfashi, Bakori, Faskari and Funtua LGAs.
Recall that the abductors of Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have demanded a ransom of N250 million for his release.
Tsiga, a retired Brigadier-General of the Nigerian Army, was kidnapped on Wednesday night from his residence in Tsiga town, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Authorities have yet to officially issue a statement.
Tag:
Bandit
A notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide has killed 20 Boko Haram fighters from the Sadiku faction and seized a cache of weapons in a supremacy battle in the North-West.
A video shows Dogo Gide addressing his rivals, claiming victory after an ambush attempt by the Sadiku faction.
Security Analysis and Counter Insurgency Expert, Zagazola Makama, said Gide displayed seized items, including ten AK-47 rifles, RPGs, mobile phones, and an identity card allegedly linked to members of the faction in the video.
Makama quoted Gide as saying: “Sadiku and his group ambushed us, but we prevailed. Only one of our men was injured, while at-least 20 of their men were killed.”
He further accused the Sadiku faction of hypocrisy, condemning them for killing women, children and innocent people under the guise of jihad.
According to Makama, the development spotlights the shifting dynamics of extremist activities in the region, where alliances and rivalries among criminal and terrorist groups continue to complicate security efforts.
The rivalry between Dogo Gide and Boko Haram factions, particularly the Sadiku-led group, appears to stem from deeply personal and strategic reasons, he added.
Makama said Gide, once an ally of Boko Haram, turned against the group after his brother Sani was killed in 2023.
“Since then, Gide has vowed to avenge his brother’s death and has worked to expel Boko Haram elements from his area of influence,” Makama said.
Gide’s recent operations have focused on the Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State, where he reportedly dismantled Boko Haram roadblocks along the Kuruba-Uduwa highway.
Addressing local communities, Gide pleaded for forgiveness and pledged to restore normalcy, encouraging displaced villagers to return home.
Gide’s actions is believed to be driven by a combination of personal vendettas and a desire to consolidate control over lucrative criminal enterprises, such as cattle rustling and kidnapping, in the region.
A new wave of insecurity has gripped residents of Dansadau Emirate under the Maru local government area in Zamfara State following reports that armed bandits operating in the region are now deploying explosives as part of their tactics.
A resident of the area Bello Dansadau revealed that the use of explosives by these criminal groups marks a dangerous escalation in their activities in the area.
According to him, the terrorist group had planned to attack Yar Galadima village early hours of Sunday and to prevent the troops and local vigilantes stationed at Dansadau Town from assisting the village, the terrorists planted an explosive device along the Dansadau – Yar Galadima highway
Dansadau added that the explosives detonated when a commercial vehicle hit it, killing the driver and destroying the vehicle completely.
“The bandits are now using explosives, early hour of Sunday they wanted to attack Yar Galadima, a village close to our town, but they know that we will come to the aid of the village, our vigilante team and the military, so the bandits planted a bomb along the Dansadau-Gusau highway that lead to the Yar Galadima village.”
“It was one vehicle that stepped on it and exploded, killing the driver and the vehicle was destroyed completely, it was only the driver that was inside the vehicle.”
“This is the first time we will experience this type of tactics by the bandits and it calls for concern.”
Bandit Leader Bello Turji Challenges Nigerian Govt, Declares Fearlessness in New Video [WATCH]
written by Arabella Zikora
Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji has claimed he and his associates are not afraid of death.
Turji said he and his foot soldiers wouldn’t take up arms if they were afraid of death.
The bandit leader disclosed this in his latest video where he threatened the government for sending Service Chiefs to Sokoto State to fight his group.
In the video circulating online, Turji said: “If they were afraid of dying, we wouldn’t have taken up arms in the first place, stop sending Service Chiefs after us.”
A few days ago, videos had surfaced online of Turji and his boys celebrating after seizing two Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, MRAPs, belonging to the Nigerian Army.
But the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ, dismissed Turji’s claim of seizing the two MRAPs.
DHQ had said the two MRAPs were demobilized due to the inability of troops to extricate them after they got stuck in swampy terrain during operations against bandits in Zamfara State.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa and other top military officials stormed Sokoto State while declaring their readiness to lead a military onslaught against Turji and other bandits, criminals bedeviling the North West region.
Video:
If they were afraid of dying, we wouldn’t have taken up arms in the first place, says the bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, released a new video yesterday, threatening the government and the people for sending the service chiefs to Sokoto to fight them. pic.twitter.com/prUmjGS9Ay
— My Deen My Swag (@AM_Saleeeem) September 5, 2024
Bandit Leader Bello Turji Seizes Military Vehicles and Ammunition in Daring Operation [VIDEO]
written by Arabella Zikora
Videos have surfaced online of bandit kingpin, Bello Turji and his gang celebrating taking over the Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier.
Turji and his gang also took over lots of ammunition from the Nigerian Army during the seizure of the carrier.
This was confirmed by a counterinsurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, ZagaZola Makama.
Makama said a distress report was received by the troops indicating a high-level meeting of bandits at a specified location within the Bello Turji camp.
Responding, a team of troops was swiftly deployed to the area, led by a young officer but the team’s vehicle became stuck in the marshy terrain, hindering their advance.
Makama disclosed that the troops came under intense fire from the bandits, which triggered a heavy gunfire that lasted for some hours.
“Due to the weather conditions (heavy rain), throughout the day, air support was unable to arrive promptly, allowing the bandits to reinforce their position.
“The troops attempted to use the other MRAP to pull out the other one but it got stuck in the mud too.
“Another team of troops were reinforced to the scene but before their arrival, the situation became overwhelming for those holding the ground as they could not pull out their two MRAPS.
“The troops withdrew, leaving behind the vehicles. No fatality was recorded in the encounter.
“Hours later, Turji and his boys appeared in the scene shooting in the sky and screaming that they dislodged the troops and took their vehicles.”
The Nigerian Army is yet to confirm the development.
Now this is an embarrassment for President Bola Tinubu and his Service Chiefs.
An uneducated terrorists leader, Bello Turji and his boys celebrating as they took over armoured personnel carrier (armoured bunker) with lots of ammunitions.
Turji is even sending a warning to… pic.twitter.com/PwKvlqgmqy
— Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar (@jrnaib2) August 31, 2024
Shock as Bandit Goes Live on TikTok for Giveaway, Promises Financial Aid (Video)
written by Arabella Zikora
A bandit kingpin in military camouflage has sparked strong reactions after he went live on TikTok to offer financial assistance to his followers.
Videos of the live session were uploaded on X, formerly Twitter.
Trending video of a dangerous Nigerian bandit doing live giveaway on TikTok pic.twitter.com/B7biUxfAcP
— Trending Explained (@TrendingEx) August 9, 2024
During the session, which has since gone viral, several of his followers were seen sharing their account numbers in the comment section.
This elicited anger, with many calling on the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to track down and arrest the individual.
Writing via @revi_ofthehills, Comr. Isah Muhammed said: “Security personnels cannot find him because he’s not holding “end bad governance” placard.”
@solbabyz: “The fact this men’s are able to use smart phones comfortably is crazy How can Nigerian government not have the technology to track them even if the phones don’t have sim cards?? Bro it’s crazy how I It’s possible to isolate frequency coming out from a certain place.”
@Nairaexchanger: “He’s exploiting the banking system and telecommunications, while on social media, the government turns a blind eye. Anyone who calls this government responsible is a complete fool.”
@Ezeifeka_Obinna: “I don’t know why the military has drones, capturing this people is a waste of resources.”
@ikechukk: “These ones no get acct to freeze Abi ? No get number to trace Abi ? No get mothers to arrest Abi ?”
@moright20: “Government should ban tiktok.”
@ontophilll_: “Why can’t DSS use the sender’s details from the bank and track them.”
@pdauda: “Our bandits are always well kitted in GI gear with full accessories and weapons. The same camo that soldiers will make young people roll in gutters for wearing is what terrorists and bandits show off with. And the CDS or COAS are not huffing and puffing over it.”
@abn_charles: “I wonder ooo! I doubt @PoliceNG is able to see videos like this or they are preoccupied with protests and harmless individuals.”