The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has announced the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Na Faranshi, in Zamfara State.
Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, who disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the CDS Joint Task Force Commanders Conference 2025 in Abuja mentioned that the Kachalla Na Faranshi was killed together with some other top terrorist commanders during an aggressive raid in the forests of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Kachalla Na Faranshi was popular for smuggling illicit firearms from Mali and Niger Republic to Nigeria.
He was regarded as a top weapons supplier to various armed groups operating in the country’s northwestern forests.
He had links with terrorist groups operating in Mali and was previously an ally of the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, before establishing his criminal network.
Explaining how the bandits leader was killed, General Musa claimed that security operations backed by the Nigerian Air Force’s air component tore the area apart, demolished the camp, and burned down the sandy blocks residence, causing him to flee.
In a follow-up operation, troops moved into Tungfa and Mashima villages to dislodge groups and force them deeper into the forest.
Musa said: “Signals issued in the government’s approach to tackling banditry in Zamfara and whether or not to us. When insurgents, safe and havens, are systematically dismantled, security forces have sent a strong message to all armed groups in the country. The era of impunity is over.
“For years, bandits, terrorists, and criminals have exploited the difficulty ring within our country, creating well-fortified hideouts and lodging deadly raids on communities. However, with the current operations gaining momentum, the tide appears to be torn in. As troops tighten, the urban air assets continue to position strikes.
“The walls are closing in on those who have terrorised innocent civilians. Special forces, both from the land forces, the maritime and the air, are working assiduously to ensure that we secure the entire nation,” he stated.