The Nigerian military has declared a notorious terrorist leader, Halilu Buzu, wanted.
Buzu, originally from Buzu in the Republic of Niger, has been identified as a threat due to his involvement in various heinous acts, including illegal gold mining, cattle rustling, and arms trafficking.
According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, Buzu has been residing in Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, where he operates an illegal gold mine in Kawayi, Anka LGA. His criminal activities have recently escalated, with his group allegedly responsible for the brutal killing of 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.
Buzu, who is known to have a network of accomplices, is also a prominent arms supplier, sourcing weapons from Libya and facilitating their distribution among terrorist groups in the region. Despite military efforts to apprehend him, Buzu frequently evades capture by seeking refuge across the border in the Republic of Niger.
The Defence Headquarters has urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to apprehend Buzu and hold him accountable for his atrocities. Major General Buba emphasized that targeting high-value terrorists like Buzu is crucial in dismantling the operational capabilities of insurgent groups and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The military has reported successes in its ongoing operations against insurgency and criminality across the country. In the past week alone, soldiers have neutralized 227 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and oil thieves, while also arresting 529 criminals and rescuing 253 kidnapped hostages.
Troops have also made substantial seizures, including weapons, boats, vehicles, and illegal refining equipment. Notable among the recovered items are 89 AK47 rifles, 40 locally fabricated guns, and various explosives used by terrorist organizations.
