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A notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Sharme, has been killed in a fratricidal clash between rival gangs in Kaduna State.
According to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the bandit leader was killed in a fierce gun duel at Hambakko in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas.
A statement credited to Aruwan in the state capital on Monday said two other bandits were also killed, while five others suffered life-threatening injuries in the clash, which occurred on Saturday.
The commissioner added that Sharme’s gang was responsible for numerous attacks, killings, and kidnappings in Kaduna and neighbouring states, including the July 5, 2021, abduction of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School in Kujama.
He disclosed that security forces had been tracking Sharme, who had repeatedly evaded capture, while noting that his death was seen as a major victory in the fight against banditry in the region, particularly in the Northwest.
The commissioner warned residents against assisting suspicious individuals seeking treatment for gun wounds but instead contacted the security forces immediately.
He also assured that information received would be treated confidentially.
The statement read, “After diligent follow-up operations and exploitation of vast human intelligence networks, it can be happily reported that the notorious bandit commander Kachalla Tukur Sharme, and other bandits, have been killed in a fratricidal clash.
“Aside from Sharme, two other bandits from a rival group were killed in the fierce gun duel, which also enabled some kidnapped citizens to escape from captivity.
“According to intelligence sources, five bandits were injured in the clash and are presently lurking in the area, seeking paramedics to manage their wounds.
“Sharme, a notorious bandit who had butchered many citizens, kidnapped hundreds and rustled innumerable herds of cattle, met his end in a battle between his group and an opposing gang.”
The commissioner further said, “The clash occurred at the weekend, around a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’, in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.
“Sharme had several times escaped the crosshairs of security forces by a mere whisker, and remained hotly sought after before he was gunned down by fellow terrorists.
“Sharme and his gang of bandits were largely responsible for attacks, killings and kidnappings in Millennium City, Maraban Rido, Kujama, Kajuru, Maro, villages in Kateri general area and other locations in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia and Birnin Gwari. This was in addition to his criminal acts in neighbouring states of Katsina and Niger, which were also left reeling from the waves of his terrorism.
“One of the most heinous acts perpetrated by Kachalla Sharme was the kidnapping of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, Kaduna State, on 5th July 2021. In the course of repelling Sharme and his gang of terrorists, two personnel of the security forces paid the supreme price.
“Residents of Rijana, Kaso, Kasarami, Jaka da-Rabi, Kajuru and Dutse general areas and beyond are warned not render any assistance to suspicious persons seeking treatment for gun wounds. They are urged instead to contact the nearest security forces or reach the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on the following lines: 09034000060, 08170189999.”
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