Troops from the Niger Republic’s Operation Faraoutar Bushiya have captured notorious armed bandit Kachalla Baleri. Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama confirmed that Baleri was arrested on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Rouga Kowa Gwani, Guidan Roumdji commune and department.

Baleri, originally from Shinkafi in Katsina state, has been a terror in the North West region of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Maradi in Niger Republic. He has committed numerous crimes, including mass killings, abductions, and imposing levies on communities.

Known as the right-hand man of the infamous Kachalla Bello Turji, Baleri was ranked as the 40th most wanted person in Nigeria by the Nigerian Army.

Colonel Mohamed Almoctar Seydou Niandou, chief of the tactical staff of Operation Faraoutar Bushiya, reported that Baleri was caught around 1 PM during a clearance operation, 10km east of Tankama. He was apprehended while meeting with his men and planning attacks in Nigeria and Niger.

At the presentation of the captured criminals, the region’s Governor, CGP Issoufou Mamane, and the Prosecutor of the Republic, Adamou Abdou Adam, praised the professionalism and dedication of the security forces.