Suspected armed bandits loyal to notorious kingpin Ado Aleiro have reportedly appointed a new field commander following the death of Kachalla Iliya Mai Rasha, while communities in parts of Zamfara State are allegedly being forced to contribute money for the purchase of weapons.
According to security analyst, the appointment is part of the group’s efforts to reorganise after recent military offensives targeting bandit hideouts across the North-West.
The report claimed that although the identity of the new commander has not been disclosed, bandit emissaries have imposed a levy of N200,000 on each village in the western axis of Tsafe Local Government Area. The exercise is reportedly expected to generate about N25 million, which the group allegedly plans to use to procure additional weapons and ammunition.
Security analysts further reported that at least 10 bandit commanders, popularly known as Kachallas, were buried in Kizara village, west of Tsafe, following recent military operations, while several others reportedly sustained injuries.
Residents familiar with the activities of the armed groups were also quoted as saying the bandits had complained of increasing difficulty in rustling livestock within Zamfara due to sustained military operations.
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Security sources, however, said they were monitoring reports of the new leadership structure and the alleged collection of levies as part of ongoing intelligence efforts aimed at disrupting the group’s logistics and financing network.
The report added that recent operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified pressure on bandit groups across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, reportedly leading to the elimination of several notorious commanders and the disruption of their operational bases.
