In a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry in Nigeria's North-West region, security operatives have reportedly neutralized Kachalla Makore, a notorious bandit leader, and several of his fighters in Zamfara State. The operation, which took place on Sunday, occurred along Kwankele Road in the Magami area of Gusau Local Government Area (LGA), striking a significant blow to the leadership of bandit groups terrorizing the region.
Zagazola Makama, a renowned counterterrorism and insurgency expert in the Lake Chad Basin, revealed the details of the raid on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday September 25 2024. Makama, who closely monitors insurgent activities, disclosed that the security forces ambushed Kachalla Makore and his men while they were on their way to recover the body of another slain bandit leader, Kachalla Sani Black. Sani Black had been killed earlier in the notorious Dan Sadau area of Maru Local Government Area during an earlier operation by security forces.
The death of Kachalla Makore marks a significant victory for security agencies battling the persistent banditry that has plagued Zamfara and other North-Western states for over a decade. Makore rose to infamy following the death of his predecessor, Kachalla Damuna, and had established himself as a major figure in criminal operations around Kangon Garacci village in Dan Gulbi, Maru LGA. Under his leadership, banditry in the region escalated, with villages frequently targeted for kidnappings, cattle rustling, and violent attacks.
“Kachalla Makore rose to power after the death of his predecessor, Kachalla Damuna, and was known for his criminal operations around Kangon Garacci village in the Dan Gulbi area, also within Maru Local Government Area,” Zagazola wrote.
The successful operation comes as part of a broader campaign by Nigerian security forces to decapitate the leadership of these violent criminal groups. Security operatives have intensified their operations in Zamfara and other Northern states, targeting high-profile bandits responsible for mass kidnappings, killings, and general lawlessness. The neutralization of Makore is expected to further disrupt the bandits' operations in the region and weaken their capacity to launch coordinated attacks.
“This victory by security forces comes as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate top bandit leaders as well as curb banditry and violent crime in the North West,” Zagazola noted in his post. His statement underlined the strategic importance of taking down figures like Makore, whose influence had allowed the banditry to fester in Zamfara.
The fight against insurgency and banditry has seen a series of tactical operations in recent weeks. On September 11, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel thwarted a terrorist attack on Department of State Services (DSS) facilities in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Air strikes in that operation inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, killing at least 28 and scattering many more.
On September 12, gunmen kidnapped several travelers on a highway in Zamfara, underscoring the ongoing security challenges.
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