Notorious bandit leader, Ado Aleru, has reportedly killed seven of his own fighters on alleged suspicion of betrayal in Zamfara State.

The incident was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, in a post on his X handle on Thursday.

Zagazola said he gathered that the killings took place across villages of Takulawa, Turba, Bamamu and the Yamma forest axis.

According to sources, Aleru accused his fighters of staging unauthorised kidnappings along the Gusau–Yankara highway, a development he considered a threat to his control and operations.

“He personally executed seven of them after confirming they were behind recent abductions of travellers on the highway. He feared their actions would draw too much attention from security forces,” one of the sources said.

The security expert explained that the killings have reportedly triggered fear and discontent among Aleru’s remaining loyalists, who see the executions as a sign of growing mistrust within the camp.

Aleru, formerly designated as a wanted terrorist by the Federal Government, has long been accused of masterminding kidnappings, killings, and cattle rustling across Zamfara, Katsina and parts of Sokoto States.

The bandit kingpin was also discussing peace with the Federal committee to end hostilities in the North West.

Bandit kingpin Ado Aleru executes 7 of his fighters over alleged betrayal