Kachalla Tukur Sharme, a suspected notorious bandit commander, has been killed in a violent clash between rival criminal groups in Kaduna State.
The confrontation occurred at Hambakko, located in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, which span Kachia, Chikun, and Kajuru Local Government Areas.
According to a statement by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, Sharme was killed in a fierce gun battle on Saturday, alongside two other bandits. Five others were severely wounded during the clash.
Sharme had been a high-priority target for security forces, responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and killings across Kaduna and nearby states.
His gang was involved in the infamous abduction of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School in Kujama in July 2021.
The death of Kachalla Sharme is considered a major success in the ongoing fight against banditry in Kaduna and the Northwest.
The commissioner explained that security forces had been tracking Sharme for some time, but he had repeatedly escaped capture until this fatal confrontation with a rival gang.
The clash also enabled the escape of several kidnapped victims. Intelligence indicates that five injured bandits are hiding in the area, seeking medical help.
The Kaduna State Government has warned residents against assisting individuals with gunshot wounds. Citizens are urged to report any suspicious persons seeking treatment, with assurances of confidentiality.
Sharme’s death is seen as a turning point in the fight against banditry, and residents are encouraged to cooperate with security agencies.
