From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Turkur Sharme, and members of his gang have been killed in a rival gang clash.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, and made available to the media in Kaduna.
The statement said that the clash occurred over the weekend around a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’ in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru local government.
It further stated that Sharme and his gang of bandits were largely responsible for attacks, killings, and kidnappings in Millenium City, Maraban Rido, Kujama, Kajuru, Maro, villages in the Kateri general area, and other locations in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia and Birnin Gwari.
This was in addition to his criminal acts in neighboring states of Katsina and Niger which were also left reeling from the waves of his terrorism.
According to the Overseeing Commissioner, 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.
Mr Aruwan disclosed that the notorious bandit had, several times, escaped the crosshairs of security forces by a mere whisker, and remained hotly sought before he was gunned down by fellow terrorists.
He added that according to the intelligence report, five bandits were injured in the clash and are presently lurking in the area, seeking paramedics to manage their wounds, with several others left with life-threatening injuries.
“In the course of repelling Sharme and his gang of terrorists, two personnel of the security forces paid the supreme price.”
Aside from Sharme, two other bandits from a rival group were killed in the fierce gun duel, which also enabled some kidnapped citizens to escape from captivity.
The commissioner warned the residents of Rijana, Kaso, Kasarami, Jaka da-Rabi, Kajuru, and Dutse general areas and beyond not to render any assistance to suspicious persons seeking medical help from gun wounds.
He added that residents are expected to contact the nearest security agency or reach the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on the following lines:
09034000060, 08170189999 promising that such information received will be treated with the highest sense of confidentiality.
