Notorious bandit leader Kachalla Bello ‘killed’ in factional clash in Katsina

Kachalla Bello, a notorious bandit leader, has reportedly been killed during a gunfight between rival armed groups in a forest around Faskari LGA of Katsina state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, local sources said the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when rival bandit factions engaged in a fierce exchange of gunfire in the forest.

Makama reported that Kachalla Bello was among those killed during the confrontation, adding that details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained sketchy.

According to the publication, Bello was accused of terrorising farming communities through kidnappings and forced labour.

Local sources told Makama that Bello specialised in abducting residents from their farmlands and compelling them to work on his farm before releasing them.

The publication said his reported death was expected to bring relief to communities that had endured years of intimidation and criminal activities attributed to his group.

Makama noted that security authorities had yet to independently confirm the circumstances surrounding the reported killing.

It added that the incident highlighted persistent rivalries among armed groups operating in parts of Katsina state, where clashes over territory, resources and criminal operations have occasionally resulted in deadly confrontations.

Speaking to TheCable on Wednesday, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, police spokesperson in Katsina, said he was not aware of the incident.

“I am not aware of the incident; I will make an enquiry and call you back,” he said.

When TheCable followed up with Sadiq-Aliyu three hours later, the police spokesperson said he was still trying to establish the exact location of the incident so he could contact the divisional police officer (DPO).

“I’m trying to find out, but I cannot pinpoint where. I know people. Can you give me the location of where they are so that I can contact the DPO? If I can get the exact location where the incident happened, I can contact the DPO. Let me find out,” he added.
(TheCable)