By Andrew Haruna, Abuja
In a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s counterterrorism and national security efforts, elite troops under Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralized one of Zamfara State’s most wanted bandit kingpins, Ibrahim Kaboni, along with eight armed fighters, during a precision ambush near Keta village in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Intelligence gathered by Zagazola Makama confirms that the successful military operation took place on the evening of April 16, 2025, and was executed by troops of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in a strategic joint effort with other federal security agencies. The operation followed real-time surveillance and reconnaissance drone monitoring of the gang’s movement.
A heavy exchange of gunfire ensued during the ambush, leaving Kaboni and his loyalists fatally wounded as they attempted a retreat. However, a few gang members escaped with serious bullet wounds, prompting a manhunt across the region.
Kaboni, widely known for orchestrating high-profile kidnappings, mass killings, and livestock theft, had been on the radar of security forces and listed on multiple national terror watchlists. His death is being hailed as a significant victory in the ongoing war against armed banditry, terrorism, and rural insecurity in northern Nigeria.
Military authorities have reiterated their commitment to sustaining counter-insurgency operations, restoring peace, and ensuring the rule of law and safety of rural communities in Zamfara and beyond.