Boderi Isyaku, a notorious bandit responsible for the kidnapping of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation and the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna in 2021, has been neutralised, alongside some of his gang members.
Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna state, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Aruwan said the deadly kidnapper and two of his gang members met their Waterloo on Wednesday night in Bada general area of Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, following a successful ambush on the criminals by troops.
According to the statement, Isyaku and his gang were responsible for the kidnapping of high-profile individuals and mass abduction of people.
Aruwan said the bandit leader and his gang were responsible for the abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka, Kaduna on March 11, 2021 and the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy ( NDA) on August 24, 2021, which resulted in the killing of two army officers while one other was abducted.
The statement said Isyaku and his gang were also behind the kidnapping of the Emir of Bungudu, Zamfara state, Alhaji Hassan Atto, whose police orderly was killed during the incident.
Aruwan said, “This feat was confirmed to the Kaduna State Government by security forces carrying out internal security operations and diligent checks from human intelligence sources.”
He said, “Boderi, as he was simply known, had for nearly a decade propagated a reign of fear, death and destruction in Kaduna State and neighbouring Niger State, with a trademark of brutal attacks, mass abductions and cruel, relentless killings.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army (and Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch) Major General VU Okoro, coordinated the operation through meticulous planning and intelligence.
“The troops on Wednesday night, came in contact with Boderi and his fighters around Bada general area of Chikun LGA.
“Despite the terrorists’ well-fortified position, the troops laid a successful ambush. Boderi and his associates walked into the trap, and were cornered.
“In the ensuing confrontation, Boderi chose to resist the troops and engaged them in a fierce firefight.
“He was ultimately subdued, and his reign of terror ended in a burst of bullets and eternal ignominy. Two of his associates were likewise neutralised”.
Aruwan said, after the operation, the troops recovered two AK47 rifles, 300 rounds of ammunition, nine AK47 magazines, one magazine carrier, one Baofeng radio set and five motorcycles.
The statement described the elimination the bandits as “a notable milestone in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry…”
It said, “Boderi was involved in a range of deadly attacks spanning Sabon Birni, Rigasa, Buruku, Gwagwada, Rijana and Kateri general areas, the Kaduna-Abuja Road, the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, as well as Shiroro, Alawa, and Mangoro general areas of neighbouring Niger State.
“It was Boderi who plotted and executed the 11th March 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA.
“This high-profile kidnapping generated shock waves and massive panic around the country, as dozens of young students were whisked away and their families left to deal with unimaginable turmoil.
“On the 24th of August 2021, Boderi masterminded another deadly attack, this time on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Igabi LGA. Two officers were killed and another abducted.
“Weeks later, on 14th September 2021, Boderi led his gang of bandits in the kidnapping of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Atto, around Dutse village, Chikun LGA. The Emir’s Police Detail was killed.
“These are a few highlights in the profile of a mindless monster, fueled by undiluted hate and evil, veiled underneath an apparently harmless, innocent and youthful exterior.”
Aruwan said, the Kaduna state governor, while receiving the report, commended Maj. General Okoro and his troops for the victory and assured security forces in the state of continuous support.
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
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