Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have neutralized a notorious bandit kingpin, Dan Dari Biyar, during a clearance operation in the western axis of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, military sources revealed that the operation took place on Thursday as the wanted criminal attempted to collect ransom from relatives of abducted victims in the forest corridor between Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango villages.
The operation, part of a broader offensive to dismantle bandit strongholds, was carried out by a joint team of Nigerian Army personnel and local security volunteers under Sokoto State’s community protection initiative.
Weapons, ammunition, and communication gadgets were reportedly recovered during the raid.
Dan Dari Biyar, infamous for his cruelty and terror campaigns, operated from deep within the Tidibale forest. From there, he orchestrated violent raids on communities such as Lalle, Tsamaye, and areas around Gwaronyo, including the burning of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis.
His nickname, derived from his chilling remark—“I prefer N500 to a Hausa man”—highlighted his brutal reputation. He was known for mocking his captives before demanding hefty ransoms and has been linked to numerous ambushes, attacks, and arson incidents in Sokoto East.
Military intelligence confirmed his role in several deadly operations across difficult-to-access forest areas. Meanwhile, troops are continuing operations to track and apprehend fleeing members of his gang.
