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Ringleader dies as bandits row over rustled cows in Kaduna

By Saxone Akhaine and Abdulganiyu Alabi, Kaduna
29 December 2020   |   3:00 am
A wanted ringleader, identified as Nasiru Kachalla, has died in a gun duel when two armed groups fought over rustled cows in Kaduna.

A wanted ringleader, identified as Nasiru Kachalla, has died in a gun duel when two armed groups fought over rustled cows in Kaduna.

In a statement yesterday, the state government confirmed the face-off and Kachalla’s death.

Issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the release explained that “Kachalla, who had been on the run for masterminding several criminal acts, including kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling, and banditry, was killed in a clash between his gang and a rival group of bandits.”

Aruwan said human intelligence networks also “confirmed that criminals from the rival sides were also killed, including some of Kachalla’s lieutenants.”

He added: “The clash occurred in a forest around the boundaries of Kajuru-Chikun local government areas of Kaduna Central Senatorial District. A dispute over a large herd of rustled cattle is said to have triggered the fatal confrontation.

“Kachalla and his gang were involved in several crimes, including kidnappings, killings, and banditry on the Kaduna-Abuja road and also in the Chikun/Kajuru general areas. He was the mastermind of the January 9, 2020 kidnapping of seminarians of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna, and the January 24, 2020 kidnapping of Mrs. Bola Ataga and her two children. The criminals later killed one of the seminarians, Michael Nnadi, and Mrs. Ataga before releasing her children.

“Kachalla’s criminal gang was also responsible for the kidnap of six students and two teachers of Engravers College, in Kakau village of Chikun local government area on October 3, 2019.”

The commissioner also confirmed the arrest of three members of the gang, Tukur Usman, Shehu Bello, and Mustapha Mohammed.

He equally affirmed that “troops repelled an attempted attack by bandits along the Galadimawa-Zaria road in Giwa local government area.”

Aruwan further said: “The bandits blocked the road for some minutes, shooting sporadically at motorists. A combined team of the 4 Battalion and Field Engineers Regiment of the Nigerian army mobilised to the location. The road was cleared and normalcy was restored, with no kidnapping or harm to motorists.”

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