A notorious bandit kingpin, popularly called Boderi, who orchestrated kidnappings of Yauri school girls, Greenfield University and Nigerian Defence Academy attacks, has been killed.

Boderi was killed with another kingpin, Bodejo, in an ambush by troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army.

Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Nwachukwu said the duo was neutralised with their foot soldiers during troops operations along Bada – Riyawa axis on the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road.

He said troops have embarked on several operations in Birni-Gwari, Igabi and Giwa Local Governments to flush out the insurgents from these areas and bring succour to the people.

According to the Army spokesperson, while on a fighting patrol along Maganda-Dausayi – Mugaba axis in Igabi local government area, troops came under fire from insurgents who employed rustled herds of cattle as shields as they engaged the troops with direct fire.

He said: “The insurgents whose number could not be ascertained fired several shots at the troops from the cover of the herds of livestock prompting immediate response from troops.

“In the ensuing firefight that lasted for about an hour, troops neutralised two of the insurgents and recovered 1 AK 47 rifle,1 AK 47 Magazine, three rounds of 7.62mm Special, 1 Techno phone, three Hilux and motorcycle keys, wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana, tramadol tablets and the sum of 13,200 Naira only.

“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.”

According to Nwachukwu, in a separate operation conducted by troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the gallant troops successfully ambushed marauding insurgents along the Bada – Riyawa axis on the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road.

“In the encounter, troops neutralized 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.”

“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.” (The Nation)