A notorious terrorist commander, Kachalla Maha, has claimed that members of the Nigerian security forces deployed to hunt him are secretly working for his network and leaking classified operational information ahead of military offensives.
The claim was contained in a viral audio recording in which the wanted kingpin allegedly held a conversation in Hausa with a government-linked intermediary identified only as “Comrade,” who repeatedly urged him to embrace peace and end the wave of killings across communities in Katsina State.
In the recording, Maha, who has been linked to several deadly attacks in Katsina and the killing of retired General Rabe Abubakar, boasted that security operatives regularly tipped him off before raids on his camps.
“I swear to God Almighty, all the security forces being sent to attack my camp are my boys. They inform me anytime they are coming,” he allegedly said.
The audio, which could not be independently verified by PLATFORM TIMES, has sparked fresh concerns over alleged infiltration of Nigeria’s security architecture by criminal groups operating across the North-West.
Beyond the allegation of compromised security personnel, Maha threatened to intensify attacks on communities if his demands, including the release of his associates and seized livestock, were not met.
“What you’ve seen so far is only a little,” he warned.
“I swear by the greatness of God, if this is how the government will behave without justice, I will go through all the villages around and capture and kill them all.”
The terrorist leader justified the attacks by accusing security agencies of harassing residents, destroying homes and confiscating cattle belonging to members of his group.
He also alleged that informants embedded in communities supplied intelligence that enabled his gang to identify and target people suspected of collaborating with security forces.
“We have our own informants. We don’t just attack people without certainty,” he claimed.
Throughout the conversation, the government intermediary repeatedly appealed to the terror leader to abandon violence, insisting that killings would never resolve the conflict.
“What benefit do you gain from killing someone?” the official asked at one point.
He also argued that authorities had become reluctant to entertain complaints from the group because previous peace efforts had repeatedly collapsed.
The discussion later focused on the death of retired General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died while being held captive by Maha’s group.
According to the government representative, the incident triggered the renewed military operations against the terrorist network.
“The reason for all these operations is because of the old man who died in your custody after we asked you to hand him over and you refused,” he said.
Despite acknowledging that he had previously released some captives voluntarily, Maha insisted that violence would continue unless his associate, identified as Aminu, and confiscated livestock were returned.
“But if my cattle are not returned, I swear these local governments will never know peace during the farming season,” he threatened.
The intermediary, however, denied allegations that the Katsina State Government authorised the arrest of Aminu or the seizure of the cattle.
“I swear before God that the Katsina State Government had absolutely no role in the arrest of Aminu or the seizure of the cattle,” he said.
The recording has heightened fears over the growing influence of armed groups in Nigeria’s North-West, particularly amid persistent attacks on rural communities and concerns about insider collaboration within security formations.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
