Troops kill bandit leader Kachallah, 44 others as three soldiers die in Katsina

Troops kill bandit leader Kachallah, 44 others as three soldiers die in Katsina

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 45 suspected bandits, including a notorious commander identified as Kachallah Alti, during a fierce gun battle in **Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The operation, which followed credible intelligence on the movement of armed bandits operating between **Katsina State and neighbouring Zamfara State, resulted in the death of two prominent bandit leaders — Kachallah Alti and another commander known as Damale.

Security sources said the troops engaged the bandits in a fierce confrontation while the criminals were advancing toward communities in the area.

According to security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the clash occurred after bandits riding motorcycles and armed with sophisticated weapons attacked **Alhazawa village in Musawa Local Government Area on March 5, rustling cattle belonging to residents.

Local community members, supported by some repentant bandits in the area, reportedly resisted the attack. During the confrontation, four of the bandits were killed and the stolen cattle were recovered and returned to their owners.

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However, security sources said the bandits later regrouped and returned in larger numbers on March 6, allegedly to launch a reprisal attack against the community.

While advancing toward **Musawa through Maidabino A Ward, the armed men reportedly encountered troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Dan Ali in **Danmusa Local Government Area.

This led to an intense exchange of gunfire between the troops and the bandits, during which the soldiers overpowered the attackers and neutralised 45 of them.

Among those killed was Kachallah Alti, believed to be a nephew and second-in-command to notorious bandit kingpin Adamu Alieru, who has long been linked to several violent attacks and kidnappings across north-west Nigeria.

Security sources said Alti had recently taken on a more prominent operational role within the bandit network following the death of his brother, Kachalla Dan Isihu, who was previously killed by security forces during earlier counter-banditry operations.

He was also reportedly responsible for coordinating several violent attacks on communities, particularly along the **Danjibga axis in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Despite the success of the operation, the military also recorded casualties as three soldiers were killed during the encounter with the heavily armed bandits.

Security sources said troops have intensified follow-up operations in the affected areas to track down fleeing members of the gang and dismantle the remaining bandit networks operating across Katsina and Zamfara states.

The development is part of ongoing military offensives aimed at curbing banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping that have plagued communities across north-west Nigeria in recent years.

Troops kill bandit leader Kachallah, 44 others as three soldiers die in Katsina