SOKOTO State, Nigeria (BN24) — Troops of the Nigerian Army, operating under Operation FANSAN YANMA, have neutralized a notorious bandit leader known as Dan Dari Biyar during a targeted clearance operation in the western axis of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in Nigeria.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the operation took place Thursday in the forest corridor between the villages of Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango. Dan Dari Biyar was killed as he attempted to collect ransom money from relatives of kidnapped victims — a tactic for which he had gained infamy in the region.
Dan Dari Biyar, whose moniker reportedly stems from his chilling catchphrase, “I prefer N500 to a Hausa man,” was widely feared for his cruelty. He was known to psychologically torment captives while demanding exorbitant ransoms, often flaunting his disdain for his victims’ suffering.
Military sources say he operated from deep within the Tidibale forest, where he coordinated brutal attacks on surrounding communities, including Lalle, Tsamaye, and parts of Gwaronyo. His reign of terror was linked to several raids, ambushes, and arson attacks — most notably, the razing of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis, which left widespread destruction and displacement in its wake.
Thursday’s operation was part of a broader military offensive aimed at dismantling armed bandit networks entrenched in the remote forest enclaves of Sokoto East senatorial district. It was executed by a joint force of Nigerian Army personnel and local security volunteers operating under the Sokoto State Government’s community protection initiative.
Troops reportedly recovered arms, ammunition, and communication equipment from the site of the operation. A pursuit of fleeing members of Dan Dari Biyar’s gang is currently underway, with officials vowing to maintain pressure until remaining cells are eliminated.
The Nigerian military has intensified clearance operations in the northwest as part of ongoing efforts to restore stability to regions plagued by armed banditry and rural terrorism. The successful neutralization of Dan Dari Biyar is being hailed as a significant blow to the operational capacity of criminal syndicates in Sokoto State.
