Crime
Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara
Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have captured Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu, a notorious bandit kingpin responsible for terrorizing communities in Mada, Tsafe, and other parts of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region gathered from security sources that the operation, conducted by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, took place on February 27 at Hegin Mahe, Ruwan Bore in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area.
Troops launched a well-coordinated ambush, leading to a fierce gun battle in which several bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. The kingpin initially fled into nearby homes but was pursued and captured alive by the security forces.
Hours after his arrest, his gang members, led by Bakin Malam, launched a reprisal attack on Chediya, Bamamu, and Makera villages, issuing threats to dislodge residents if Nabamamu was not released. The attack forced many residents to flee their homes in fear.
However, The Nigerian troops swiftly responded with superior firepower, repelling the bandits and preventing further breach of security. Additional both Air and Land troops were deployed to secure the area and prevent further incursions, while intelligence operations continue to track down fleeing gang members.
Nabamamu, originally from Tsafe, Gidan Alhaji Kaduna, started as an Almajiri before attending Model Primary School, Tsafe. He later relocated to Bamamu village, where he engaged in cattle rearing. For over 30 years, he was involved in armed robbery and later became one of the first Fulani men to openly embrace large-scale banditry in Zamfara.
He first gained notoriety after leading an armed robbery attack on the home of Sani Dan Kyaso, orchestrating multiple murders in the process. Security sources describe him as deadlier than the infamous bandit leader Ado Alero, often warning other criminals such as Dan Isuhu to stay out of his self acclaimed territory.
Nabamamu commanded a large group of fighters, carrying out brutal attacks on villages including Makera, Chediya, Agama Lafiya, Singawa, Yalwa, Rekebu, Fegen Baza, Danmarke, and Sabon Fege, as well as locations near Setraco Company in Tsafe town. His gang was also responsible for numerous kidnappings along the Gusau-Tsafe highway, turning the route into a deadly zone for travelers.
Nabamamu worked closely with other top bandit leaders, including Bakin Malam, Kachallah Mal Tukur, and Kachallah Baldu, controlling at least 100 heavily armed fighters. He imposed millions of naira in levies on villages in Tsafe LGA, ruthlessly punishing communities that failed to pay.
Security sources revealed that Nabamamu had deep ties with weapons traffickers, often securing arms from suppliers linked to foreign terror networks. Intelligence reports indicate that he was involved in coordinating supply chains that provided sophisticated firearms to criminal groups operating in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger states.
His gang was also notorious for using informants within local communities to track movements of security forces and high-value kidnap targets. Investigations suggest that he had an extensive financial network, using ransom proceeds to fund operations and maintain strong alliances with other bandit groups.
The arrest of Nabamamu is expected to significantly weaken the operational network of bandit groups in Zamfara. It is believed that dismantling his leadership structure could lead to the rescue of kidnapped victims still held by his gang.
Military operations under Operation FANSAN YANMA have intensified in recent weeks, with coordinated land and air offensives eliminating several high-profile bandits and rescuing hostages from their enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states.
Military officials vowed that the offensive will continue until all major bandit leaders are neutralized and peace is restored to the region.
Residents of Mada, Tsafe, and surrounding areas who have been terrorized for many years welcomed the news of Nabamamu’s arrest, expressing hope that security will improve and banditry will be brought under control.
Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara
Fleeing General Overseer arrested in Lagos for cross-border drug trafficking
By: Michael Mike
A fleeing founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele (alias Abbas Ajakaiye) after months underground has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for masterminding multiple shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said Prophet Adefolusho was arrested at his church located in Okun Ajah, Ogombo road, Lekki area of Lagos on Sunday 3rd August 2025 by NDLEA officers who waited for him since morning to conclude the Sunday worship service in the evening before moving in on him the moment he stepped out of the church premises.
He noted that the arrest came after he had evaded arrest twice and fled to Ghana to hide since June when operatives started trailing him following the seizure of two shipments of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis linked to him.
He said the first seizure of 200 kilogrammes of the psychoactive substance was made at Okun Ajah beach on 4th June 2025 while another consignment of 700 kilogrammes of Whitten substance was recovered from his delivery van on 6th July 2025.
He was said to have admitted in a written statement, ferrying the illicit consignments through the waterways from Ghana into Nigeria, adding that he had fled to the West African country to hide after he escaped arrest twice in the recent past.
In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives last Thursday raided an apartment at Kishi House 11 Layi Ajayi Bembe street, Parkview Estate Ikoyi where they arrested a suspect Benjamin Ukoh and recovered 32 pouches of Canadian Loud, a strain of Cannabis with a total weight of 15.63 kilogrammes.
In Nasarawa state, NDLEA operatives last Saturday recovered a large consignment of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 3,093 kilogrammes from the trio of Emmanuel Asoquo, 51; Okem Raphael, 33, and Chekwube Odo, 25, at New Karu area of the state.
While 29-year-old Nura Yahaya was nabbed at Geza area of Kumbotso Kano State with 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359 kilogrammes last Friday, another suspect Umar Adamu Umar, 27, was taken into custody last Wednesday by NDLEA officers after seizing 9 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis from him along Zaria-Kano road, Kano.
In another interdiction operation in Kano, 20,000 pills of tramadol and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were recovered from a suspect Usman Musa, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa along Zaria-Kano road last Friday.
A raid at an uncompleted building located at Tudun Wadan Pantami in Gombe town, Gombe state last Friday led to the recovery of 550,266 pills of opioids mainly tramadol, while a suspect Usama Isah was arrested.
The following day Saturday another suspect Ibrahim Adamu, 23, was arrested by NDLEA officers along Potiskum road, Bajoga with 50,000 capsules of tramadol.
In Edo state, a white Toyota Hiace bus marked YAB 5522 K coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and heading to Isanlu in Kogi was last Wednesday intercepted at Ewu junction, Edo by NDLEA operatives who after a search recovered 23,940 capsules of tramadol, 1,100 tablets of same opioid and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection with a suspect Taiye Jethro arrested.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending commending the officers and men of the Lagos, Nasarawa, Gombe, Kano, and Edo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.
Fleeing General Overseer arrested in Lagos for cross-border drug trafficking
Chinese expatriate dies in Kogi after collapsing at work
By: Zagazola Makama
A 47-year-old Chinese national working as a supervisor at BN Ceramics in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, has died after slumping at his duty post, the police have confirmed.
Sources said that the expatriate, identified as Mr. Luo Zhi Mao, collapsed on Aug. 2 at about 6:30 p.m. while working at the Press Department of the factory.
He was immediately rushed to Covenant Hospital, Ajaokuta, and subsequently referred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja. However, due to an ongoing strike by doctors and nurses at FMC, he was later moved to Shifaah Hospital in Lokoja.
At about 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, Mr. Luo was confirmed dead at Shifaah Hospital.
His body has been deposited at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
Sources said investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of death, though no foul play has been suspected at this stage.
The management of BN Ceramics has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.
Chinese expatriate dies in Kogi after collapsing at work
Crime
Bandits abduct Zamfara monarch after deadly NAF airstrike that kills scores of bandits in Tsafe
Bandits abduct Zamfara monarch after deadly NAF airstrike that kills scores of bandits in Tsafe
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted the traditional ruler of Yankuzo, Alhaji Babangida Kogo, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, barely hours after a devastating Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike killed dozens of bandits in a forest enclave near the area.
The monarch was reportedly abducted on Tuesday evening along the Mararraba axis as he attempted to flee his community amid fears of reprisal attacks by the terrorists.
Sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the abduction was carried out by a large group of armed men riding on over 10 motorcycles. The assailants intercepted the monarch and his entourage near the abandoned farm of the late Alhaji Malami Yandoto and took him away, leaving others behind.
The abduction followed a precision airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji on the same day, targeting a large bandit assembly believed to be a wedding or celebratory gathering in a forest location between Yankuzo and Munhaye.
Zagazola gathered that the air raid followed credible intelligence and aerial surveillance, which tracked the movement of over 100 armed bandits converging at the location. The strike led to the killing of scores of terrorists and left many others wounded.
Security sources said the gathering was attended by fighters loyal to notorious bandit kingpins operating in the Tsafe–Zurmi axis, some of whom had crossed over from neighboring forests in Katsina and Sokoto states.
“The impact was massive, charred bodies and destroyed motorcycles littered the area after the strike,”said a source.
Following the air raid, fear gripped surrounding villages, with many residents fleeing in anticipation of retaliatory attacks by the surviving bandits.
“We knew they would strike back. That’s why our district head was leaving. Unfortunately, he ran into them before reaching safety,” said a Yankuzo resident who requested anonymity for security reasons.
Local vigilante sources confirmed that efforts were ongoing to trace the whereabouts of the abducted monarch. Military ground troops have also been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks.
The abduction point to the growing desperation of bandit groups under sustained military pressure in Zamfara and the wider North West region.
Bandits abduct Zamfara monarch after deadly NAF airstrike that kills scores of bandits in Tsafe
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