Nigerians Demand Better Reward For Soldiers Who Ended Sububu’s Reign

The killing of notorious bandit kingpin Halilu Sububu by the Nigerian military has brought a sense of relief to residents of Zamfara, Sokoto, and other northern states.

Sububu, known for his reign of terror across the region, was neutralized in an ambush by Nigerian troops in Kwaren Kirya, Zamfara State, on September 12, 2024.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the operation, which also saw 38 other bandits eliminated, is being hailed as a major victory in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Sububu, a 38-year-old feared for his brutal methods and extensive criminal network, had terrorized the northern region for years. His operations spanned illegal gold mining, arms trafficking, and orchestrating numerous kidnappings and killings.

His demise has been celebrated by communities that suffered under his rule, with residents taking to the streets in jubilation.

Despite the significance of this military success, many Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the N1 million reward offered by the Chief of Defence Staff to the 26 soldiers involved in the operation.

Critics argue that the sum, which breaks down to about N38,000 per soldier, is insufficient given the magnitude of their sacrifice, especially considering the Nigerian Army had previously placed a N5 million bounty on Sububu’s head.

Bulama Bukarti, a security expert and fellow at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, described the reward as “unacceptable” and urged President Bola Tinubu to confer national honors and more substantial financial rewards on the soldiers.

He also called on the public to show their support, leading to a fundraiser that has already raised N1.8 million for the soldiers.

The public’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the hashtag #SupportOurSoldiers trending on social media.

Nigerians are calling for greater recognition and reward for the bravery of the soldiers who played a pivotal role in ending Sububu’s reign of terror.