The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the death of notorious terrorist leader Halilu Sububu in a joint military operation in Zamfara State.
Sububu, who was responsible for multiple deadly attacks, including a notorious 2021 assault on a military base in Katsina that claimed the lives of several soldiers, has long been a menace in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna States.
In a statement released on Friday, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, announced that Sububu was killed alongside 38 other terrorists during a September 12 operation near Mayanchi, Zamfara.
The operation, led by NAF Special Forces as part of the ongoing ‘Operation HADARIN DAJI’, was aimed at exploiting intelligence to secure the region.
Captain Ali detailed the success of the mission, stating, “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.”
In addition to Sububu’s death, the operation resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of weapons, including three PKT machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, 29 magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Ali also noted the retrieval of four terrorist bodies for verification and confirmed the discovery of two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes and one RPG bomb.
This successful mission came shortly after the Nigerian Army announced the killing of another terrorist leader, Halilu Buzu, also in Zamfara.
These developments mark significant strides in the military’s efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the region and enhance national security.
Ali emphasized the professionalism 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.”