The Man who fired the shot that killed Kachallah Yellow Danbokolo is BASHIR MANIYA
By: Zagazola Makama
Bashir Maniya was not a name many expected to be on the side of justice. A former bandits’ kingpin once feared across Zamfara’s forests, Maniya had long abandoned his past and embraced a new life, this time fighting the very terror he once helped sustain.
Maniya, embedded in a combat team that included DSS special team and HYBRID from Maiduguri, was inside one of the armored vehicles deployed in the operation deep in the Shinkafi-Fakai axis — territory loyal to Bello Turji.
The joint team targeted three major bandit camps, namely: Bello Turji’s camp located in Fakai forestnear Dutsin Kuris, Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State; Malam Ila’s camp in Kagara forest, Isa LGA, Sokoto State; Dan Bokolo’s camp, also situated in Fakai forest, Shinkafi LGA.
In a dramatic twist of fate, it was this same reformed fighter who pulled the trigger that led to the death of the notorious bandit commander, Dan Bokolo. But in doing so, Bashir Maniya paid the supreme price.
It was during this mission that Turji’s men ambushed the convoy. One of the armored vehicles overturned under fire, throwing the mission into chaos. Bashir Maniya, wounded but alert, sprang from the damaged vehicle and began to engage enemy fire while attempting to retreat.
As he fled on foot, Maniya was pursued by Turji’s fighters. Despite sustaining injuries, he managed to kill three attackers and critically wound Dan Bokolo, reportedly hitting him in the leg. About 25 bandits were killed while the Nigerian security forces lost 13 men including 10 HYBRID forces and 3 other volunteers.
But Bashir Maniya’s moment of defiance came at a heavy cost. He was surrounded, captured, and later beheaded by Turji’s forces.
Turji confirms his death
To eliminate any doubt, Bello Turji himself released a video claiming responsibility for Maniya’s death. In the footage, he paraded the wrecked armored vehicle and confirmed that Bashir Maniya was killed during the clash.
The video also debunked false narratives circulating in some media circles, which claimed that local vigilantes were responsible for Dan Bokolo’s death. Those who took part in the Operation were HYBRID forces deployed from Maiduguri, Multiple security sources, including top members of the Zamfara State Security Guards (Askarawa), confirmed that no such vigilante operation took place in the area.
Following his injuries, Danbokolo was evacuated by his men in a desperate bid to save his life. Zagazola Makama tracked the sequence of his movements, pieced together through local sources and intercepted communications:
He was first taken to Shanawa village, but the medical support there was inadequate.
He was moved to Kuriyan Dambo, where he stayed for about a day and a half.
Due to the lack of improvement, he was evacuated again to Maresuwa, where a local doctor treated him without success. Still deteriorating, Danbokolo was rushed to Burkawa, where further efforts failed. On the way to Baje, he reportedly lost consciousness and began showing signs he would not survive.
He was finally moved to Kamarawa, where he died on July 26, 2025, three days after the initial attack.
So apparently, some storytellers are using this same narrative but the other way round claiming that the vigilantes were the ones who heroically stormed Bello Turji’s enclave, chased down Dan Bokolo, shot him in the leg, killed him, beheaded him, and somehow still manage to killed over 173 fighters while Turji was watching and clapping for them.
