The rise and fall of bandit commander Alti and his influence across Zamfara–Katsina axis

The rise and fall of bandit commander Alti and his influence across Zamfara–Katsina axis

By: Zagazola Makama

Emerging details about the activities of a notorious bandit commander known as Alti have shed light on the scale of criminal operations that plagued communities along the Gusau–Funtua corridor in North-West Nigeria.

Security sources and local accounts indicate that Alti, whose death was recently reported, had become one of the most influential figures among armed bandit groups operating across parts of Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States.

Though considered younger compared with notorious bandit leaders such as Adamu Aleru and Halilu Sububu, Alti reportedly built a formidable network of armed followers and loyal fighters.

Investigations indicate that Alti established strong operational bases stretching from southern parts of Gusau to areas around Jibiya and Funtua. From these bases, his fighters allegedly carried out kidnappings along major routes, particularly the busy Gusau–Funtua road. Atli was responsible for the recent IEDs incidents along Gusau road.

Victims abducted along the route were reportedly taken into forests around Danjibga and other remote areas where ransom negotiations were conducted. The group frequently moved captives deeper into forest corridors to evade security operations while awaiting ransom payments.

One source described Alti as being nicknamed “the money bank” by other bandit groups in the region. The nickname reportedly reflected the large sums of ransom money accumulated from kidnappings.

According to the source, ransom proceeds collected by different bandit cells were sometimes kept in Alti’s custody due to the influence he wielded and the trust placed in him by other gang leaders.

Assessment suggests that between villages such as Damba and areas around Funtua, a significant proportion of kidnappings in recent years were linked to cells loyal to Alti.

Residents of communities across Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina States have for years faced repeated abductions along the Gusau–Funtua axis. Many families were forced to pay large sums to secure the release of their relatives.

The case of Alti illustrates how bandit groups evolved from loosely organised criminal gangs into structured networks controlling territories, fighters and financial flows.

Dismantling figures such as Alti could weaken kidnapping syndicates operating in the North-West, particularly along strategic highways linking Zamfara and Katsina

The rise and fall of bandit commander Alti and his influence across Zamfara–Katsina axis