The reported killing of a notorious forest bandit commander, Alti, has sparked fresh rivalry and reprisals among armed groups operating across Zamfara and Katsina states, security sources and local informants have revealed.
Alti, who operated mainly in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was said to have been killed recently in Katsina State after being lured into an ambush by rival fighters before troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged the group.
“Alti and his men were drawn into a trap set by a rival faction. During the confrontation, several of his fighters were killed before troops later engaged the group in the area,” a security source familiar with the development said.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the bandit commander had reportedly risen to prominence following the death of another feared leader, Dan Isihu, who was killed about a year ago during the Islamic fasting period.
Following Dan Isihu’s death, Alti allegedly took control of the faction and vowed to intensify attacks across rural communities in the region.
Security sources said Alti was widely feared across Tsafe LGA and was linked to multiple attacks on villages including Dan Jibga, Kunchin Kalgo and Hayin Kanggana.
“He was responsible for several raids, kidnappings and extortion in those communities. His group had become one of the most violent factions operating around Tsafe,” a local source said.
Authorities also linked the group to the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by bandit groups in the North-West.
According to local intelligence, Alti had recently travelled to Libya, where he allegedly acquired explosive devices later used along the Zaria–Gusau highway.
“One of the devices exploded near a truck carrying cement along the highway. The explosion caused panic among motorists, allowing the bandits to abduct travellers during the confusion,” the source said.
Security analysts say the use of IEDs represents a worrying shift in tactics among bandit groups, reflecting methods commonly associated with insurgent warfare.
Investigations further indicate that the ambush that led to Alti’s death was allegedly orchestrated by a rival faction linked to another bandit commander known as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.
The killing has since triggered reprisal attacks among the rival groups.
Sources disclosed that fighters loyal to the notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Aleiro, who is believed to be related to Alti, carried out a retaliatory attack in which the father of Kwashen Garwa was reportedly killed.
“The killing appears to be part of a revenge cycle between the rival groups competing for control of territories and criminal routes across the Zamfara–Katsina forest belt,” a security official said.
Despite Alti’s death, several fighters who previously served under him are believed to remain active in the forests around Tsafe.
One of them, identified as Umar Kachalla, is reportedly coordinating remnants of the faction.
Meanwhile, another bandit figure known as Babalo was also recently killed after sustaining injuries during a confrontation with security forces.
Local sources said Babalo had been receiving treatment for a gunshot wound in the Marde area after being injured during an earlier clash.
However, troops reportedly tracked him to the location and killed him alongside four of his associates.
Residents in several communities across Tsafe LGA say the deaths of key bandit commanders have brought a sense of relief after years of violent attacks, kidnappings and extortion.
“For the first time in a long while, people are beginning to feel some relief,” a resident of one affected community said. “But many of these fighters are still in the forests, so the fear has not completely gone away.”
Killing of bandit leader Alti triggers reprisals in Zamfara–Katsina forests
