Fresh intelligence indicates that one of the notorious bandit kingpins, Alti, who had long terrorised communities in Katsina and Zamfara states, has been neutralised by security operatives.

Security sources described Alti as one of the most dangerous bandit commanders operating across the North-West region.

Although younger than several other notorious bandit leaders such as Adamu Aleru and Halilu Sububu, Alti reportedly built a powerful network of loyal fighters and criminal collaborators spread across forests and border communities in the region.

Findings revealed that he established strategic operational bases stretching from the outskirts of Gusau in Zamfara State to communities around Jibiya and Funtua in Katsina State.

From these camps, his fighters allegedly carried out frequent kidnappings along the busy Gusau–Funtua highway, regarded as one of the most dangerous routes in the North-West.

Travellers, traders and villagers using the road were often targeted, with victims abducted and taken deep into forest hideouts where ransom negotiations typically began almost immediately.

Security sources also linked Alti to recent incidents involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the route, an escalation that heightened fear among motorists and residents.

Kidnapped victims were reportedly moved to camps in forests around Danjibga and other remote locations in Zamfara State, where the gang conducted ransom negotiations.

In many cases, abductees were repeatedly transferred between forest camps to evade military operations, while families struggled to raise the large sums demanded for their release.

It was also gathered that several bandit groups entrusted Alti with keeping ransom proceeds collected from kidnappings, highlighting the level of influence he wielded across multiple criminal cells.

Sources further revealed that many abductions carried out between villages such as Damba and communities around Funtua in recent years were linked to bandits loyal to him.

For many communities across Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states, the activities of Alti’s network translated into years of fear, displacement and heavy ransom payments by desperate families.

Security analysts say Alti’s rise illustrates how bandit gangs in the North-West have evolved from loosely organised criminal groups into structured networks controlling large numbers of fighters and significant financial resources.

His reported death is therefore seen as a major setback for kidnapping syndicates operating across Zamfara and Katsina states.

However, experts warn that dismantling the wider criminal network will require sustained security pressure to prevent other commanders from filling the vacuum left by his death.