A COORDINATED counter-offensive by security forces in Zamfara State has led to the killing of scores of suspected bandits, including the son of a notorious kingpin, during a fierce gun battle in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Security sources told News Point Nigeria that the confrontation began late on Saturday when armed bandits attacked members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), popularly known as “Yan Maiduguri”, in Kunchin Kalgo village.
In response, a joint security team mobilised reinforcements to support the CJTF operatives, resulting in an intense exchange of gunfire.
A security operative involved in the operation said, “We overpowered them due to superior firepower and pursued them into Munhaye forest, where over 30 bandits were neutralised.”
Among those reportedly killed was Kachalla Iliya Sarki, said to be the son of infamous bandit leader Ado Aleiro, as well as another prominent figure identified as Dogo Bete.
The spokesperson for Operation FANSAN YAMMA, David Adewusi, said that though several terrorists were eliminated, the exact number could not yet be verified as clearance operations were still ongoing.
“Yes, there was contact yesterday with the terrorists, and scores of them were eliminated. We cannot confirm the exact number at this time, but there was an encounter,” he said.
Despite operational success, the clash resulted in significant casualties among the CJTF.
Local sources confirmed that more than 10 members of the group were killed, while several others remain unaccounted for.
In a related development on Sunday afternoon, CJTF operatives engaged another group of bandits in Kungurki village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Two bandits were reportedly killed during the encounter, with one of them beheaded.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Bello, confirmed the incident, noting that special forces had been deployed to restore calm, and that normalcy had since returned to the area.
Zamfara State has, for over a decade, grappled with attacks by armed groups, leading to widespread loss of life, destruction of property, and the payment of large ransoms.
Although security operations have recorded intermittent successes, residents continue to express concern over the protracted crisis, calling on authorities to implement more decisive and sustainable measures to bring it to an end.