By Abubakar Mu’azu
Days ago, news broke that one of the most dreaded terrorists in Nigerian history, Kachalla Yellow Dan-Bokolo, met his expected end. Reports had it that he succumbed to injuries sustained after a heavy gunfight with Shinkafi Volunteer Forces, a group of arned volunteers from Zamfara state tired of the havoc wreaked by these terrorists.
No fewer than 180 of Dan-Bokolo’s foot soldiers, according to the reports, also lost their lives to the gunfight. In addition, the reports had it that it wasn’t clear if operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) assisted the volunteers with intelligence.
While the dust on the ground-breaking security operation in Zamfara had yet to settle, popular security blogger, Zagazola, joined the fray. According to the popular security blogger, the operation was led by the DSS in conjunction with “hybrid forces” from Maiduguri, whatever that means.
However, in the latest twist to Danbokolo’s killing, , the Nigerian military has claimed responsibility for the operation that led to his death.
According to the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, a combined team of security forces conducted an intelligence-led operation last week, during which they engaged bandits and fleeing terrorists. He made the assertion on Tuesday.
During the encounter, said the General, Yellow Danbokkolo, he stated had for nearly five years, devastated residents of Eastern Sokoto, suffered serious gunshot wounds.
“He (Danbokolo) subsequently died yesterday (Monday) from the injuries sustained during the fierce battle with our troops,” declared General Kangye.
The implication of the foregoing is that the three separate forces – the Shinkafi Volunteer Forces, the DSS, and the Nigerian military, are being given credit for eliminating the same terrorist. Certainly, three separate entities could not have eliminated the same man at the same time. In all of these, the DSS keeps featuring. While, the DSS, under a new leadership that preaches covertness, has maintained a studied silence, the Military, apparently arriving late to the party, is blowing it’s trumpet from the rooftops! This doesn’t and can never add up! Obviously, somebody, somewhere is lying about how Danbokolo met his ignominious end!
*Mu’azu wrote from Gusau