Security operatives have reportedly killed Kachalla Makore, a notorious bandit kingpin, and several of his fighters, in Magami area of Gusau LGA in Zamfara.
This was made known on Wednesday by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, in a post on his X handle.
Makama disclosed that the operation took place on Sunday along the Kwankele road in the Magami area of Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara state.
According to Zagazola, the bandit leader and his men were reportedly en route to recover the body of fellow bandit leader, Kachalla Sani Black, who had been killed earlier in the Dan Sadau area of Maru Local Government Area.
Sani Black was neutralized in Magama Mai Rake, another notorious hotspot for bandit activity.
“Kachalla Makore rose to power after the death of his predecessor, Kachalla Damuna, and was known for his criminal operations around Kangon Garacci village in the Dan Gulbi area, also within Maru Local Government Area,” Zagazola wrote.
“This victory by security forces comes as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate top bandit leaders as well as curb banditry and violent crime in the North West.”
Troops have been battling escalating banditry and insurgency in Nigeria’s northern region in the last decade.
On September 11, Makama said personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) thwarted a terrorist attack on Department of State Services (DSS) facilities in the Shiroro LGA of Niger state.
The publication added that the air strikes inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits, killing at least 28 and dispersing many more.
On September 12, gunmen reportedly kidnapped many travellers on a highway in Zamfara.
