Notorious bandit, Sharme, who kidnapped 121 Kaduna School pupils, killed by rival gang

Notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Tukur Sharme, linked to kidnap of 121 Bethel Baptist High School pupils in Kaduna State and two members of a rival gang have been killed in a violent clash between their groups in the forests around Rijana and Kaso, Kaduna State.

His demise comes barely weeks after Halilu, another notorious bandit, was gunned down in a gunfight with military personnel.

In a statement, the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs of the state, Samuel Aruwan, said the clash, which occurred over the weekend, left several bandits critically injured, while some kidnapped victims managed to escape during the chaos.

Sharme: killed by a rival gang

As a result of the incident, the overseeing commissioner urged residents to contact the state Security Operations Room with any information in case they notice any suspicious activity or movement.

Aruwan said Sharme, known for his brutal reign of terror across Kaduna and neighbouring states, met his end in a fierce gunfight with an opposing gang at a location identified as ‘Hambakko’, spanning Kachia, Chikun, and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna.

According to Aruwan, “Intelligence sources revealed that five other bandits were wounded in the fratricidal clash and are now hiding in the area, seeking medical assistance. Residents in Rijana, Kaso, Kasarami, Jaka da-Rabi, and surrounding communities have been advised not to offer help to anyone with gunshot wounds but to report suspicious individuals to security forces immediately.

“Sharme had been responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling incidents, including the infamous abduction of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, on July 5, 2021.”

The commissioner said while Sharme had evaded security forces on several occasions, his death comes as a relief to many communities affected by his criminal activities.

“His gang was notorious for attacks in areas such as Millenium City, Maraban Rido, Kujama, Kajuru, and the Kateri general area, as well as parts of Birnin Gwari, Kagarko, Kachia, and neighboring states of Katsina and Niger,” Aruwan added.

He, however, stated that in the course of repelling Sharme and his group, two security personnel lost their lives.

Banditry in Northern Nigeria

Banditry has become a pervasive security challenge in Northern Nigeria, particularly in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger.

Armed groups, often referred to as bandits, engage in kidnappings, cattle rustling, and armed robbery, terrorizing local communities and disrupting economic activities.

The violence has led to the displacement of thousands of people, with many forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring towns or IDP camps.

The Nigerian government has struggled to contain the menace, despite deploying military forces and establishing special task forces.

The root causes of banditry in Northern Nigeria are complex and multifaceted. Experts point to factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, as well as ethnic and religious tensions.

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons, largely sourced from neighboring countries, has also contributed to the escalation of violence.

Additionally, the fragmentation of bandit groups has made it challenging for security agencies to track and neutralize them.

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