Troops neutralise bandit leader Kachallah Alti, 44 others in Katsina operation

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 45 suspected bandits during a fierce encounter in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security sources said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of bandits believed to be operating across parts of Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara State.
Among those killed were two prominent bandit leaders identified as Alti — reportedly a nephew and second-in-command to notorious bandit kingpin Adamu Alieru — and another commander known as Damale.
Sources said the clash followed an attack on Alhazawa village in Musawa Local Government Area on March 5, when bandits riding motorcycles and carrying sophisticated weapons rustled cattle belonging to residents.
Community members and some repentant bandits in the area reportedly resisted the attack, killing four of the bandits and recovering the stolen cattle, which were later returned to their owners.
However, the bandits were said to have regrouped and returned in larger numbers on March 6, allegedly to carry out a reprisal attack.
While heading toward Musawa through Maidabino A Ward, the bandits encountered troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Dan Ali, Danmusa LGA.
A fierce gun battle ensued, during which the troops overpowered the attackers and neutralised 45 of them.
The military, however, recorded casualties as three soldiers were killed during the encounter.
Further checks indicated that Alti had recently taken on a more active operational role within the bandit network following the death of his brother, Kachalla Dan Isihu, who had earlier been killed by security forces during counter-banditry operations.
Alti was reportedly responsible for coordinating several violent attacks across communities, particularly along the Danjibga axis in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources added that troops have intensified operations in the area to track down fleeing bandits and dismantle their networks.