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Killing of bandit leader Alti triggers reprisals in Zamfara–Katsina forests

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4 months ago

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The reported killing of a notorious forest bandit commander, Alti, has sparked fresh rivalry and reprisals among armed groups operating across Zamfara and Katsina states, security sources and local informants have revealed.

Alti, who operated mainly in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was said to have been killed recently in Katsina State after being lured into an ambush by rival fighters before troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged the group.

“Alti and his men were drawn into a trap set by a rival faction. During the confrontation, several of his fighters were killed before troops later engaged the group in the area,” a security source familiar with the development said.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the bandit commander had reportedly risen to prominence following the death of another feared leader, Dan Isihu, who was killed about a year ago during the Islamic fasting period.

Following Dan Isihu’s death, Alti allegedly took control of the faction and vowed to intensify attacks across rural communities in the region.

Security sources said Alti was widely feared across Tsafe LGA and was linked to multiple attacks on villages including Dan Jibga, Kunchin Kalgo and Hayin Kanggana.

“He was responsible for several raids, kidnappings and extortion in those communities. His group had become one of the most violent factions operating around Tsafe,” a local source said.

Authorities also linked the group to the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by bandit groups in the North-West.

According to local intelligence, Alti had recently travelled to Libya, where he allegedly acquired explosive devices later used along the Zaria–Gusau highway.

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“One of the devices exploded near a truck carrying cement along the highway. The explosion caused panic among motorists, allowing the bandits to abduct travellers during the confusion,” the source said.

Security analysts say the use of IEDs represents a worrying shift in tactics among bandit groups, reflecting methods commonly associated with insurgent warfare.

Investigations further indicate that the ambush that led to Alti’s death was allegedly orchestrated by a rival faction linked to another bandit commander known as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

The killing has since triggered reprisal attacks among the rival groups.
Sources disclosed that fighters loyal to the notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Aleiro, who is believed to be related to Alti, carried out a retaliatory attack in which the father of Kwashen Garwa was reportedly killed.

“The killing appears to be part of a revenge cycle between the rival groups competing for control of territories and criminal routes across the Zamfara–Katsina forest belt,” a security official said.

Despite Alti’s death, several fighters who previously served under him are believed to remain active in the forests around Tsafe.
One of them, identified as Umar Kachalla, is reportedly coordinating remnants of the faction.

Meanwhile, another bandit figure known as Babalo was also recently killed after sustaining injuries during a confrontation with security forces.

Local sources said Babalo had been receiving treatment for a gunshot wound in the Marde area after being injured during an earlier clash.

However, troops reportedly tracked him to the location and killed him alongside four of his associates.

Residents in several communities across Tsafe LGA say the deaths of key bandit commanders have brought a sense of relief after years of violent attacks, kidnappings and extortion.

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“For the first time in a long while, people are beginning to feel some relief,” a resident of one affected community said. “But many of these fighters are still in the forests, so the fear has not completely gone away.”

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Troops arrest soldier declared wanted for supplying military uniforms to terrorists

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military uniforms to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this in a statement posted on X.

Makama said that the suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility, NAOTF, Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 pm on July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, 2026, where he allegedly went into hiding.

Investigators further established that the soldier was sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.

The security expert further noted that acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.

“The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.

“The arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplices,” Makama added.

See also  One killed, three injured as mentally unstable man attacks residents in Taraba

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PHOTOS: N10 billion Cocaine, Loud, opioids intercepted at Lagos ports as NDLEA arrests kingpins

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.

According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.

NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

Babafemi said in the course of investigation, three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.

The NDLEA spokesperson said Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.

NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

He mentioned that a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was on Tuesday, 21st July, arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.”

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NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

In a related development, NDLEA officials seized a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Suspected cable thief nabbed in Bayelsa community

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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A man accused of stealing cables was paraded in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, 26th July, 2026 by a vigilante group at Ompadec, Amarata, while allegedly stealing electrical cables from a home.

​According to residents, cable theft has become a recurring problem in the area, leaving them feeling vulnerable.

They expressed relief following his apprehension.

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