The Kaduna State government has disclosed that a notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Tukur Sharme, who masterminded the kidnapping of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School in the State three years ago, and other bandits, have been killed in a gang war.
A report by the government said aside Sharme, two other bandits from a rival group were killed in the fierce gun duel, which also enabled some kidnapped citizens to escape from their captivity.
The state government reported that the clash occurred at the weekend, around a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’, in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru local government areas of the state.
The Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said, according to intelligence sources, five bandits were injured in the clash and were lurking in the area, seeking paramedics to manage their wounds.
The statement explained that Sharme, a notorious bandit who had butchered many citizens, kidnapped hundreds and rustled innumerable herds of cattle, met his waterloo in a battle between his group and an opposing gang.
Sharme had several times escaped the crosshairs of security forces by a mere whisker and remained hotly sought after before he was gunned down by rival terrorists.
The statement said, “Sharme and his gang of bandits were largely responsible for attacks, killings and kidnappings in Millenium City, Maraban Rido, Kujama, Kajuru, Maro, villages in Kateri general area and other locations in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia and Birnin Gwari.
“his was in addition to his criminal acts in neighbouring States of Katsina and Niger which were also left reeling from the waves of his terrorism.
“One of the most heinous acts perpetrated by Kachalla Sharme was the kidnapping of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, Kaduna State on 5th July, 2021. In the course of repelling Sharme and his gang of terrorists, two personnel of the security forces paid the supreme price.”
The State government, therefore, urged residents of Rijana, Kaso, Kasarami, Jaka da-Rabi, Kajuru and Dutse general areas and beyond, not to render any assistance to suspicious persons seeking treatment for gun wounds and “contact the nearest security forces or reach the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on the following lines: 09034000060
08170189999.”
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