Nigerian Troops Kill Notorious Bandit Leader Guddel and His Brother in Kaduna

In a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s ongoing fight against banditry, troops have reportedly killed Guddel, a feared bandit kingpin, and his brother during a military operation in Kaduna State.

The development was revealed by security analyst Bakatsine in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter). Guddel had been linked to a series of deadly attacks and mass kidnappings across Kaduna and neighboring states.

“Troops have eliminated notorious bandit Guddel and his brother in Kaduna,” Bakatsine wrote.

Guddel was a high-profile figure in northern Nigeria’s bandit ecosystem, reportedly responsible for organizing and overseeing numerous violent crimes, including kidnappings-for-ransom, rural raids, and killings.

His death represents a significant blow to the armed criminal groups terrorizing parts of Nigeria’s northwest region.

In a related development, Bakatsine also reported a dramatic escape by hostages taken from Kankara, who broke free following infighting between rival bandit groups in the Danmusa area of Katsina State.

“Infighting among Danmusa bandits also helped hostages from Kankara escape. Many bandits, including a top leader, were killed in the clash,” he noted.

While this internal conflict among criminal factions may have unintentionally aided rescue efforts, it also highlights the volatile and fragmented nature of bandit networks in the region.

As of the time of this report, security agencies have yet to issue official statements regarding either the elimination of Guddel or the Kankara hostage escape. However, these updates reflect the increasingly dynamic and high-stakes security situation in Nigeria's north.