Troops have killed a notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Tukur Sharme, and scores of his men in a major military operation that left several other bandits flee with life-threatening injuries.
Kaduna State Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Monday, said the terrorists fell to the superior firepower of the military, saying that “As the maxim has foretold, those who live by the sword, certainly die by the sword.”
“After diligent follow-up operations and exploitation of vast human intelligence networks, it can be happily reported that the notorious bandit commander Kachalla Tukur Sharme, and other bandits, have been killed in a fratricidal clash,” Aruwan said.
“Aside Sharme, two other bandits from a rival group were killed in the fierce gun duel, which also enabled some kidnapped citizens escape from captivity.”
He explained that “according to intelligence sources, five bandits were injured in the clash and are presently lurking in the area, seeking paramedics to manage their wounds.
“Sharme, a notorious bandit who had butchered many citizens, kidnapped hundreds and rustled innumerable herds of cattle, met his end in a battle between his group and an opposing gang.
“The clash occurred at the weekend, around a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’, in the Rijana and Kaso Forests which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.”
Aruwan said: “Sharme had several times escaped the crosshairs of security forces by a mere whisker, and remained hotly sought after before he was gunned down by fellow terrorists.
“One of the most heinous acts perpetrated by Kachalla Sharme was the kidnapping of 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, Kaduna State on 5th July, 2021. In the course of repelling Sharme and his gang of terrorists, two personnel of the security forces paid the supreme price.”
He warned residents of Rijana, Kaso, Kasarami, Jaka da-Rabi, Kajuru, and Dutse general areas and beyond not to render any assistance to suspicious persons seeking treatment for gun wounds.
“They are urged instead to contact the nearest security forces or reach the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on the following lines: 09034000060 08170189999,” Aruwan said.
“As is standard practice, such information received will be treated with the highest sense of confidentiality.”