Outrage Over N1 Million Reward for 26 Soldiers Who Ended Halilu Sububu’s Terror Reign

Northern Nigeria remains in a state of celebration following the death of notorious bandit kingpin, Halilu Sububu. The Nigerian Air Force neutralized Sububu in a decisive operation on September 12, 2024, in Zamfara State, marking a major milestone in the fight against banditry and terrorism in the region. However, public outrage has erupted over the reward given to the 26 soldiers responsible for the operation— a sum many believe to be insufficient considering their immense sacrifice.

Reign of Terror

Sububu, who terrorized Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, and other northern states, was widely known for his brutality. Born Halilu Jammare, he was involved in gunrunning and illegal mining, with connections to terrorist groups across the Sahel, including Mali and Niger. Sububu’s reign was marked by numerous kidnappings, killings, and attacks on military personnel, leaving communities in constant fear.

His death came as a relief to the region, with locals celebrating his downfall. Sububu controlled illegal gold mining operations in Bagega, enslaving communities while his gang terrorized farmers, villagers, and traders. His violent grip on the region was broken by Nigerian military forces in a bold ambush, in which 38 other bandits were also killed.

Celebration and Relief in the North

The news of Sububu’s death sparked widespread jubilation across the affected states. Videos of villagers singing and dancing in celebration went viral, with many expressing relief that the era of terror had finally ended. Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, expressed his joy, declaring Sububu’s death a victory for the people.

“This is a huge success for us, especially in Zamfara where he controlled most of the bandit groups. His removal will bring peace to many communities that have suffered under his reign,” said Governor Lawal in a televised statement.

Soldiers’ Sacrifice and N1 Million Reward Controversy

Despite the relief felt across the region, controversy arose when it was revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff rewarded the 26 soldiers involved in the operation with N1 million. Many Nigerians expressed outrage, calling the reward grossly inadequate for the magnitude of the soldiers’ sacrifice. With the N1 million split among 26 soldiers, each received less than N40,000, sparking public debate over how the nation values its military personnel.

Security analyst Bulama Bukarti was among those who criticized the reward. “Twenty-six gallant soldiers took down one of the most notorious bandits, yet their reward was N1 million to share, despite the Nigerian Army placing a N5 million bounty on Sububu in 2022. This is unacceptable,” Bukarti wrote on X (formerly Twitter), calling on President Bola Tinubu to provide national awards and more significant financial compensation.

Public Fundraising for Soldiers

In response to the perceived injustice, a grassroots effort to raise funds for the soldiers gained momentum. Hosts of the popular Facebook show Fashin Baki launched a fundraiser, contributing N1.8 million to the soldiers as a gesture of appreciation. The movement quickly spread across social media under the hashtag #SupportOurSoldiers, with Nigerians rallying to show their support.

“The soldiers who took down Halilu Sububu are heroes and deserve our full support,” tweeted one Nigerian. Another wrote, “Their bravery has brought peace to our communities; we must recognize their sacrifice.”

Call for Greater Recognition

Amid the ongoing celebrations of Sububu’s death, calls for the government to better reward the soldiers continue to grow. Many believe that proper recognition, both financial and honorary, will not only acknowledge the bravery of these men but also inspire other military personnel in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry in northern Nigeria.