Notorious Kaduna Bandit Leader Killed in Deadly Gang Clash

A notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Tukur Sharme, has been killed in a violent clash with a rival gang in the forests of Kaduna State. Sharme, infamous for his role in kidnappings and killings across the region, met his end in a gunfight that also claimed the lives of several members from both sides.

According to a statement by Samuel Aruwan, the Overseeing Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, the gang war took place over the weekend in the Rijana and Kaso forests, which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas. The commissioner noted that Sharme and his gang were involved in several criminal activities, including attacks on communities and kidnapping citizens for ransom.

In the fierce battle, which erupted between Sharme’s group and a rival faction, two other bandits were also killed, and five others were reported injured. The clash reportedly enabled several kidnapped citizens to escape from captivity. Intelligence reports suggest the injured bandits are now hiding in the area and seeking medical attention for their wounds.

Sharme was notorious for his involvement in high-profile attacks, including the kidnapping of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School in Kujama, Kaduna State, in July 2021. His criminal activities also spanned neighboring states like Katsina and Niger, and he had long evaded capture by security forces before being taken down in the recent gang conflict.

The Kaduna government has warned residents in areas such as Rijana, Kaso, and Dutse not to offer any assistance to individuals with gunshot wounds, urging them instead to report such cases to the nearest security forces or the Kaduna State Security Operations Room. This advisory follows concerns that injured bandits may be hiding in these communities.

The government has commended the security forces for their efforts, although it was reported that two security personnel lost their lives during operations against Sharme’s gang.