Suspected armed bandits operating in Zamfara State have reportedly appointed a new field commander following the death of one of their senior leaders, while rural communities are allegedly being forced to contribute money for the purchase of weapons.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the move comes as the criminal group seeks to reorganise its operations after recent military offensives targeting bandit hideouts across the North-West.
The report said the identity of the newly appointed commander has not yet been made public. However, bandit emissaries were said to have imposed a levy of N200,000 on each village in the western axis of Tsafe Local Government Area.
The levy is reportedly expected to generate about N25 million, which the group allegedly plans to use to procure additional weapons and ammunition.
Makama also reported that at least 10 bandit commanders, popularly known as Kachallas, were buried in Kizara village, west of Tsafe, following recent military operations. Several other fighters were also said to have sustained injuries during the operations.
Residents familiar with the activities of the armed groups reportedly said the bandits have been complaining about the increasing difficulty of rustling livestock within Zamfara due to sustained military pressure.
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According to the report, some bandits told their local contacts they now travel farther into remote areas in search of livestock, claiming there are fewer animals left to steal in Zamfara because of repeated security operations.
The claims by residents could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, security sources were quoted as saying they are monitoring reports of the new leadership structure and the alleged collection of levies from villages as part of ongoing intelligence efforts aimed at disrupting the group’s logistics and financing network.
The development comes as security operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA continue to intensify across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, with authorities reporting increased pressure on armed groups and the disruption of several of their operational bases.
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