Bandits appoint new commander, impose N200,000 levy on Zamfara villages

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 compelled to contribute money for the purchase of weapons.

The claims were made in a report by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who said the move is part of the group’s efforts to reorganise after recent military offensives targeting bandit strongholds across the North-West.

According to the report, although the identity of the newly appointed commander has not been disclosed, emissaries of the armed group have allegedly imposed a levy of N200,000 on each village in the western axis of Tsafe Local Government Area.

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Makama stated that the levy is expected to generate about N25 million, which the group allegedly plans to use to procure additional weapons and ammunition.

The report also claimed 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 during the offensives.

Citing residents familiar with the activities of the armed groups, Makama further reported that the bandits have complained about increasing difficulty in rustling livestock within Zamfara due to sustained military operations.

According to the report, the armed groups now reportedly travel farther into remote areas in search of livestock, claiming that repeated security operations and persistent cattle theft have significantly reduced the number of animals available for rustling within the state.

However, the report noted that these claims by residents could not be independently verified.

Makama added that security sources are monitoring reports of the group’s new leadership structure and the alleged collection of levies from rural communities as part of ongoing intelligence efforts aimed at disrupting the logistics and financing networks of the bandits.

The report further stated that recent operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified pressure on bandit groups operating across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, leading to the reported elimination of several notorious commanders and the disruption of their operational bases.