The reported elimination of a notorious forest bandit leader, Alti, has ignited new rivalry and revenge among armed factions operating in Zamfara and Katsina states, according to security sources and local informants.
Alti, who predominantly operated in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was said to have been eliminated recently in Katsina State after being deceived into a trap by opposing fighters before troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged the group.
“Alti and his men were led into a snare organized by a rival faction. During the clash, many of his fighters were eliminated before troops subsequently confronted the group in the vicinity,” a security source familiar with the matter stated.
Zagazola Makama reported that the bandit leader had purportedly risen to prominence following the assassination of another feared commander, Dan Isihu, who was killed approximately a year ago during the Islamic fasting period.
After Dan Isihu’s demise, Alti allegedly assumed leadership of the faction and promised to escalate assaults across rural communities in the area.
Security sources indicated that Alti was widely dreaded throughout Tsafe LGA and was associated with numerous assaults on villages including Dan Jibga, Kunchin Kalgo, and Hayin Kanggana.
“He was responsible for numerous raids, kidnappings, and extortion in those communities. His group had become one of the most violent factions operating around Tsafe,” a local informant mentioned.
Authorities also connected the group to the rising use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by bandit factions in the North-West.
According to local intelligence, Alti had recently traveled to Libya, where he allegedly procured explosive devices later deployed along the Zaria–Gusau highway.
“One of the devices detonated near a truck transporting cement along the highway. The explosion instigated panic among motorists, allowing the bandits to capture travelers amidst the chaos,” the informant revealed.
Security analysts suggest that the adoption of IEDs signifies a concerning transition in tactics among bandit groups, mirroring strategies typically linked to insurgent warfare.
Investigations further indicate that the ambush resulting in Alti’s demise was allegedly orchestrated by a rival faction connected to another bandit leader known as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.
The assassination has since provoked retaliatory assaults among the rival factions.
Sources disclosed that fighters loyal to the infamous bandit kingpin, Ado Aleiro, believed to be related to Alti, executed a retaliatory attack resulting in the reported death of Kwashen Garwa’s father.
“The killing seems to be part of a cycle of revenge among the rival factions competing for dominance over territories and criminal routes in the Zamfara–Katsina forest region,” a security official commented.
Despite Alti’s demise, several fighters who previously served under him are thought to remain active in the forests surrounding Tsafe.
One of them, identified as Umar Kachalla, is reportedly coordinating the remnants of the faction.
Meanwhile, another bandit figure known as Babalo was also recently killed after suffering injuries during a confrontation with security forces.
Local sources indicated that Babalo had been receiving treatment for a gunshot wound in the Marde area after being harmed during a prior clash.
However, troops reportedly tracked him to the location and eliminated him along with four of his associates.
Residents in multiple communities across Tsafe LGA express that the deaths of significant bandit commanders have instilled a sense of relief after years of violent assaults, kidnappings, and extortion.
“For the first time in a long while, people are starting to feel some relief,” a resident of one affected community stated. “But many of these fighters are still in the forests, so the fear has not completely dissipated.”
