A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello, has reportedly been killed during a fierce gun battle between rival armed groups in a forest around Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The reported killing occurred on Tuesday evening when two factions of armed bandits clashed in the forest, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication covering security developments in the Lake Chad region.
Citing local sources, the publication reported that Bello was among those killed in the exchange of gunfire, although details surrounding the confrontation and the circumstances of his reported death remained unclear.
Bello was accused of terrorising farming communities through kidnappings and forced labour. Local sources reportedly told Zagazola Makama that he specialised in abducting residents from their farmlands and forcing them to work on his farm before eventually releasing them.
His reported death is expected to bring relief to communities that have endured years of intimidation and criminal activities allegedly linked to his group.
However, security authorities had yet to independently confirm the incident as of Wednesday.
When contacted by TheCable, the Katsina State Police Command spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, said he was unaware of the reported killing but would make enquiries.
“I am not aware of the incident; I will make an enquiry and call you back,” he said.
However, when TheCable contacted him again about three hours later, Sadiq-Aliyu said he was still trying to establish the precise location of the reported clash to enable him to reach the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.
“I’m trying to find out, but I cannot pinpoint where. I know people. Can you give me the location of where they are so that I can contact the DPO? If I can get the exact location where the incident happened, I can contact the DPO. Let me find out,” he added.
The reported confrontation underscores continuing rivalries among armed groups operating in parts of Katsina State, where disputes over territory, resources and criminal operations have triggered deadly clashes.
