The Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG) recently achieved a major victory in the fight against banditry. In a carefully planned operation, the vigilante group killed the notorious bandit leader Kachalla Sani Black along with his two sons in Magama Mai Rake, a town in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The vigilante group’s successful operation didn’t just end with the deaths of Kachalla and his sons. The group also managed to recover two AK-47 rifles, a PKT machine gun, and an undisclosed sum of cash. These recoveries highlight the level of firepower the group was up against in their effort to restore peace to the community.
Kachalla Sani Black wasn’t just any bandit; he was a key figure in the region’s organized crime, known for his leadership in criminal activities across multiple states. Operating mainly from the Chabi and Dan Sadau areas of Maru, he was a fierce competitor to another infamous bandit leader, Bello Turji. His reign of terror extended beyond Zamfara, as his group carried out attacks in Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi States.
At one point, Kachalla Sani Black was the most powerful bandit leader in the Dan Sadau area. With over 150 armed followers, he led several deadly attacks on local government areas such as Maru, Gusau, and Tsafe, leaving fear and destruction in his wake. He was infamous for training his men in not just kidnappings but also in the assault of women, further intensifying the suffering of innocent civilians.
In 2021, authorities arrested one of Kachalla’s men, Sani Mati Mai-Yanmata, who was responsible for kidnapping and sexually assaulting women, including young girls and pregnant women, in the Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas. His capture revealed the extent of Kachalla’s brutal regime.
The killing of Kachalla Sani Black is a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in Zamfara State and its neighboring regions. Police Commissioner Ayuba Elkanah confirmed that Kachalla’s group had been planning more attacks before the successful operation by the vigilantes. The elimination of this notorious leader is expected to bring some relief to the communities that have suffered from years of banditry.
