North West: Troops Recover Territories, Kill 65 Bandits In Zamfara

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised no fewer than 65 bandits, including the son of a wanted notorious bandit leader, during a fierce coordinated ground and air offensive in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation, which targeted bandits at Munhaye village behind Kunchin Kalgo, resulted in the killing of Kachalla Iliya Sarki, a key commander and son of Alhaji Ado Allero. Other senior lieutenants eliminated include Dogo Sule and Iliya Mai Rasha.

Security sources said the intense battle began around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, and lasted for over seven hours. Bandit fighters, estimated at hundreds and arriving on about 300 motorcycles from the Yan Wari axis and Dankarami Gwaska camp, engaged the troops in a heavy gunfight.

Troops, supported by precision airstrikes, overwhelmed the bandits with superior firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on the group long linked to deadly attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling across Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Kano States.
Kachalla Iliya Sarki was described as one of the most vicious commanders in Ado Allero’s network. He had reportedly taken over some leadership roles after the recent killing of another commander, Alti, last month. Just four days before his death, he was said to have travelled to Kano to rustle livestock.
Seven vigilantes fighting alongside the troops also lost their lives during the fierce encounter.

In the aftermath, Ado Allero was reported to have fled the area and is currently in hiding at Yankuzu town, while troops continue pursuit operations to dismantle remaining elements of his group.

Security analysts described the elimination of Iliya Sarki as a major setback for banditry in the North-West, particularly in the tri-border region of Zamfara, Katsina, and Kano.
“This is a major operational success. The death of Iliya Sarki will significantly disrupt command and control structures within the group,” a security analyst noted.

However, sources warned that the development could trigger retaliatory attacks, as Ado Allero is likely to mobilise fighters for reprisals following the loss of his son and key lieutenants.
Troops have therefore been placed on heightened alert across vulnerable communities.
As of the time of filing this report, exploitation and clearance operations by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were still ongoing in the area.
The Nigerian military has continued its sustained campaign against banditry in the North-West under Operation FANSAN YANMA, recording several successes in recent months.