A notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide, on Thursday, reportedly eliminated 20 suspected Boko Haram terrorists in a supremacy battle that occurred in the Kwatankoro Forest situated between Niger and Zamfara states.
In a detailed report by counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, the Boko Haram fighters loyal to a faction led by Sadiku, were said to have ambushed Dogo Gide in an attempt to eliminate him.
However, Gide and his men engaged them in a gun fight, thereby killing 20 of them and seizing a cache of weapons during the showdown.
In a video released by Gide, the bandit kingpin is heard giving a victory speech where he displayed seized items, including ten AK-47 rifles, RPGs, mobile phones, and an identity card reportedly linked to Sadiku’s faction.
“Sadiku and his group ambushed us, but we prevailed. Only one of our men was injured, while at least 20 of theirs were killed,” Gide was heard declaring while condemning the faction for attacking civilians under the guise of jihad.
According to Makama, the rivalry between Gide and Boko Haram factions stemmed from the 2023 murder of his brother, Sani Gide, by Boko Haram fighters from Sadiku’s faction, prompting him to severe ties with the group and vowed revenge.
“Since then, Gide has focused his efforts on expelling Boko Haram elements from his territory, particularly in Niger State’s Shiroro Local Government Area, where he dismantled roadblocks set up by the group,” the security expert said.
“In a complex and evolving battle for supremacy in Nigeria’s North-West, notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide has reportedly killed 20 Boko Haram fighters from the Sadiku faction and seized a cache of weapons.
“Dogo Gide further accused the Sadiku faction of hypocrisy, condemning them for killing women, children, and innocent people under the guise of jihad.
“This development spotlight the shifting dynamics of extremist activities in the region, where alliances and rivalries among criminal and terrorist groups continue to complicate security efforts. The rivalry between Dogo Gide and Boko Haram factions, particularly the Sadiku-led group, appears to stem from deeply personal and strategic reasons.
“Credible intelligence suggests that Gide, once an ally of Boko Haram, turned against the group after his brother Sani was killed in 2023. Since then, Gide has vowed to avenge his brother’s death and has worked to expel Boko Haram elements from his area of influence.
“Gide’s recent operations have focused on the Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger State, where he reportedly dismantled Boko Haram roadblocks along the Kuruba-Uduwa highway. Addressing local communities, Gide pleaded for forgiveness and pledged to restore normalcy, encouraging displaced villagers to return home.
“Observers believe Gide’s actions are driven by a combination of personal vendettas and a desire to consolidate control over lucrative criminal enterprises, such as cattle rustling and kidnapping, in the region.
“The dynamics in Nigeria’s North-West are increasingly influenced by the infiltration of Boko Haram and its splinter groups, such as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) and Ansaru. These groups operate alongside local bandit kingpins, forming temporary alliances and engaging in fierce competition for dominance.
“JAS factions, led by figures like Sadiku and Umar Taraba, maintain headquarters in Niger and Zamfara states and are reportedly proficient in manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“These factions have expanded their operations into the North-West and North-Central regions, employing brutal tactics to enforce compliance and raise revenue through taxes on local populations.
“Ansaru, on the other hand, has established a stronghold in Niger, Kogi, and Kaduna states, focusing on ideological propaganda and recruitment. The group has maintained links with al-Qaeda affiliated groups in the Sahel, raising concerns about the potential for regional spillover of extremist activities.
“The rivalry between Dogo Gide and Boko Haram factions presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria’s security forces. On one hand, internal conflicts among extremist groups could weaken their overall operational capacity. On the other hand, the fluid alliances and shifting loyalties complicate intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations.
“Dogo Gide’s rise as a key player in the fight against Boko Haram signifies the complexities of power, revenge, and the quest for control in a region plagued by violence.
“In conclusion, the ongoing conflict in Nigeria’s Northwest is a multifaceted crisis that requires a nuanced understanding of the local dynamics at play.”