A notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Tukur Sharme has been killed in a clash with a rival group in the forest.
The commissioner for internal security and home affairs of Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan confirming this in a statement on Monday, said Sharme died in the clash alongside other criminals.
He said Sharme was killed in the fratricidal clash with two other bandits from another rival group, adding that the gun battle also gave room for some abducted victims of the two groups to escape from captivity.
He also noted that some of the injured criminals are currently seeking medical assistance. This he said was gathered from an intelligence source privy to information from the forest.
He said, “The clash occurred over the weekend at a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, spanning Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.”
Aruwan also listed some of the attacks carried out by Sharme to include, including killings, and kidnappings in Millennium City, Maraban Rido and Kujama.
Others are attacks in Kajuru, Maro, and villages in the Kateri general area, as well as in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia, and Birnin Gwari.
Sometimes Sharme’s criminal activities extended to neighbouring communities in Katsina and Niger states.
The bandit leader was also known to be responsible for the kidnap of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, Kaduna State, on July 5, 2021.
In another development, Nigerian troops have killed eight notorious terrorist fighters and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages in sweeping operations against terrorists and insurgents in different parts of the country.
The Nigerian Army, in a post on its official X-Handle on Monday, said the troops recovered a haul of firearms during the operations.
The post said that troops had on Sept. 22, thwarted an attempt by terrorists to raid some villages in Borno for supplies and logistics and eliminated three assailants.
According to the army, troops recovered one light machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked Rounds of light Machine Gun and other materials, including money and phones.
The army also revealed that in another clash, while acting on credible information, troops cornered terrorists escorting abducted victims through Uvaha village in Gwoza Local Government Area.
“Despite heavy rainfall, the troops went after the terrorists and eliminated one of them, forcing the others to flee, leaving behind 16 hostages.
“Among the freed victims were 10 men and 6 women. A follow-up search of the area uncovered two grenades, a bag of fish and sundry items.
“Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops set up a well-planned ambush while acting on intelligence about a group of terrorists receiving supplies from their collaborators.
“This led to the neutralization of 4 terrorists in Madza and Azare villages of Gujba Local Government Area.
“The soldiers captured two AK-47 rifles and two empty Ak-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items,” it said.
The post revealed that troops deployed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in synergy with other security agencies activated a stop-and-search operation on suspected vehicles and apprehended suspects at Kugbo, Abuja.
According to the post, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 178 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a bag of flour.
“Also recovered from the suspect is a mobile phone and the sum of ₦29,000.
“All these efforts underscore the Nigerian Army’s unflinching dedication to wiping out terrorism, insurgency, and sundry crimes.
“The public is encouraged to keep sharing tips and useful information with security forces for prompt action,” he said.