In a significant breakthrough, the Nigerian military has reportedly arrested Kachalla Duna Tagirke, a notorious bandit kingpin known for terrorizing Sokoto.
The apprehension was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, through a post on Thursday via his social media handle.
Kachalla Duna Tagirke had been operating under the command of Bello Turji Kachalla, a notorious terrorist and bandit leader with activities spanning northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states.
In 2022, Bello Turji Kachalla accused the government of being indifferent to ending banditry, alleging that some officials benefitted from the ongoing turmoil.
His allegations surfaced following an aerial bombardment of his residence by military jets, an action that led to the violation of the peace treaty he claimed to have with the government.
Despite a previous declaration of peace, Bello Turji Kachalla narrowly escaped death in September 2022 when the Nigerian Air Force bombed his residence, resulting in the death of 12 of his fighters and relatives.
On November 14, 2022, the Defence Headquarters declared Bello Turji Kachalla and 18 other terrorists wanted, placing a N5 million bounty on their heads.
Reacting to the attack on his home, Bello Turji Kachalla accused the government of provoking retaliation, claiming that the government was fueling the activities of bandits while pretending to work towards ending banditry.
In a phone conversation with an online Hausa television channel, Bello Turji Kachalla expressed resentment over the air raid on his home and the killing of innocent people, emphasizing his commitment to either peace or war, depending on the government’s stance.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that residents of Moriki town in the Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State reportedly paid N10.5 million as part of a “peace deal fee” demanded by Turji, aiming to spare their town from attacks.
This follows a similar incident where residents of Gidan Goga town in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State paid the demanded N20 million for the same purpose.
The arrest of Kachalla Duna Tagirke is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to curb banditry in the region, as authorities continue their fight against criminal elements.
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