Death of Zamfara bandit commander Alti sparks rivalry among armed groups in North-West

By: Zagazola Makama

The reported death of a notorious forest bandit commander known as Alti has triggered fresh tensions among armed groups operating across Zamfara and Katsina States, following volatile internal rivalries shaping banditry in Nigeria’s North-West.

Security sources and local informants said Alti, who operated mainly in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was killed recently in Katsina State during what is believed to have been a coordinated ambush by rival fighters and later ambushed by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA.

Alti had emerged as a prominent bandit leader following the death of another notorious commander known as Dan Isihu, who was killed about a year ago during the Islamic fasting period.

Following Dan Isihu’s death, Alti reportedly assumed leadership of the faction and vowed to expand the group’s violent operations across several rural communities.

He was also said to be related to the infamous bandit kingpin Ado Aleiro, one of the most prominent figures in the Zamfara bandit networks.

Sources described Alti as one of the most feared commanders in Tsafe LGA, responsible for repeated attacks on villages including Dan Jibga, Kunchin Kalgo, and Hayin Kanggana, among others. Beyond conventional bandit attacks, Alti was also linked to the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by criminal groups in the region.

Local sources alleged that he recently travelled to Libya, where he reportedly acquired explosive devices which he later deployed along the Zaria–Gusau highway. One such device was said to have detonated against a truck transporting cement, creating panic among motorists and enabling the bandit group to abduct several travellers during the chaos.

The adoption of such tactics marks a dangerous shift in the operational methods of bandit groups in the North-West, bringing them closer to insurgent-style warfare.

According to intelligence sources, Alti’s death occurred after he and members of his group were lured into an ambush by a rival faction believed to be linked to another notorious bandit commander known as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

The clash reportedly resulted in multiple casualties among Alti’s fighters. Again, on the same day, troops ambushed and neutralized more fighters after engaging with the Alti group.

The development has intensified tensions among armed groups in the forests straddling Zamfara and Katsina, with reports suggesting that Alti’s relative, Ado Aleiro, has already launched reprisals.

Sources said Aleiro’s fighters allegedly killed the father of Kwashen Garwa in what appeared to be a retaliatory attack. The tit-for-tat violence signals a growing internal conflict among bandit groups competing for territory, influence, and access to criminal networks.

Despite Alti’s death, several fighters previously under his command are believed to remain active in the forests around Tsafe. Among them is a commander identified as Umar Kachalla, who sources say has continued to operate with remnants of the group.

Another bandit figure known as Babalo, who had long been associated with criminal activities in the region, was also reportedly killed recently after sustaining injuries during a confrontation with security forces. According to local sources, Babalo had been receiving treatment for a gunshot wound in Marde area after being injured during an earlier clash.

However, troops reportedly tracked him to the location and killed him along with four associates.

Residents of several communities in Tsafe LGA say the deaths of key bandit leaders have brought a measure of relief after years of violent attacks, kidnappings, and extortion.

While security agencies continue operations to dismantle the criminal networks, locals say the elimination of influential commanders has significantly disrupted bandit activities in parts of the area. However, the fragmented structure of bandit groups means new leaders could quickly emerge to fill the vacuum.

Nonetheless, the deaths of figures like Alti represent a critical opportunity for security forces to intensify pressure on remaining armed groups and consolidate gains in the fight against banditry in the North-West.

Death of Zamfara bandit commander Alti sparks rivalry among armed groups in North-West

Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi

By: Zagazola Makama

Two young men have died following a violent altercation at Tumbi Market in Bachel Village, Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

The incident occurred on March 13, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m., involving Bello Baba, 25, Auwal Bayaro, 20, Umaru Alh Gimba, 18, Haruna Adamu, 20, Yayaji Wakili, 20, and Ori Dadi, 20, all residents of Bachel Village.

Sources said that a disagreement among the group escalated, and the suspects reportedly attacked each other using sticks, resulting in serious injuries.

The injured were immediately conveyed to General Hospital, Gamawa, where Bello Baba and Auwal Bayaro succumbed to their injuries. Their remains have been released to their families for burial.

Police have intensified efforts to apprehend the other individuals involved.

They said that the case remains under investigation, and further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.

Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi

UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, has vaccinated no fewer than 333 displaced children sheltering in a camp in the state.

The children alongside their parents were displaced from their communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, following attacks by bandits on their villages.

The victims are currently staying in a camp located in Kashere town of Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State.

The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abdulrahman Shuaibu, while speaking during the visit of UNICEF team to the camp on Friday said health interventions were ongoing to support displaced families.

Shuaibu said that children’s health remained a priority, with several zero-dose children already vaccinated.

He said that about 300 children had received routine immunisation as of Thursday, adding that 33 children previously classified as zero-dose had also been vaccinated.

He further said girls that are nine years old were receiving human papilloma virus vaccines.

“What we have done in the health section is to ensure we conduct reactive vaccination amongst children.

“We have a lot of children that are zero-dose, meaning they are children that have never received any form of vaccines, we have started immunising them.

“We have other children that are less than five that are receiving routine immunisation.

“We have our outreach team that come here at least three times a week to vaccinate children and we have surveillance officers amongst the IDPs that also refer clients from the IDPs to our nearby facilities for treatment,” he said.

According to him, two children had died in the camp while two babies had been delivered since the displaced families arrived.

The state government, he said, was working with UNICEF to provide therapeutic food for malnourished children.

On her part, Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said her team visited the camp to support the displaced persons with 600 dignity and WASH kits to improve hygiene and sanitation at the camp.

Dr Rafique said that the intervention aimed to prevent disease outbreaks and improve conditions in the camp.

She expressed concern over poor sanitation and stressed the need to strengthen hygiene practices to safeguard the health of women and children.

“UNICEF is here especially to support immunisation and health services for pregnant and lactating mothers, including deliveries at a nearby facility where services are available.

“Today we distributed hygiene and dignity kits because sanitation is very poor here and hygiene must improve to prevent cholera and other diseases.”

On immunisation, Rafique said vaccination had also begun for many children who had not previously received routine immunisation.

She explained that several zero-dose children at the camp were now being covered under the immunisation programme.

According to her, children who had never attended school were also being supported through plans to establish temporary learning facilities.

“So we will establish a safe learning space so these children can begin learning and continue when they return to their communities,” she said.

Rafique commended the governments of Gombe and Bauchi states for supporting displaced persons.

She also praised the host community for helping to manage the camp and maintain order among residents.

UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp