One of the most wanted bandit leaders in Zamfara State, Ado Aleru, was said to have eliminated seven of his own foot soldiers over alleged suspicions of betrayal.
The Guardian gathered that the elimination took place across several villages in the state, which include Takulawa, Turba, Bamamu, and the Yamma forest areas.
It also learnt that Ado Aleru accused his foot soldiers of conducting unauthorised abductions along the Gusau-Yankara highway, which he believed threatened his control and operations.
After confirming their involvement in the recent kidnappings, the bandits’ leader personally killed the seven members, believing that their actions would attract unwanted attention from the security forces.
The incident has caused panic among Aleru’s remaining foot soldiers, who see the eliminations as a sign of growing mistrust within the camp.
Aleru was previously listed as one of the wanted bandits’ leaders by the Federal Government. He has been accused of orchestrating kidnappings, killings, and cattle rustling across Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Sokoto States.
The Guardian also gathered that Aleru has been engaged in peace talks with the government to end banditry in the North West.
However, his actions have raised questions about his sincerity, given his history of violence and bloodshed.
Recall that in 2022, Aleru was conferred with a chieftaincy title by the Emir of Yandoto Daji in Zamfara State, despite having a N5 million bounty on his head by the Katsina State Police Command.
He was declared wanted for crimes such as culpable homicide, kidnapping, terrorism, and armed robbery in Katsina State.
Days before he was declared wanted, Aleru, on June 9, 2022, reportedly led a group of over 200 bandits with sophisticated weapons, killing over 20 people in an attack on Kadisau village.
Aleru’s recent actions are reportedly linked to his ongoing rivalry with another notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide.
The two terrorist leaders have been involved in violent clashes, resulting in loss of lives and displacement of communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states.
