Nigerian Military Eliminates Notorious Bandit Kingpin Kachalla Na Faranshi

The Nigerian military has successfully neutralized Kachalla Na Faranshi, a notorious bandit kingpin, in a major operation aimed at tackling insecurity in the region.

In a decisive maneuver, Nigerian forces participating in Operation FANSAN YANMA have successfully eliminated the infamous bandit leader Kachalla Na Faranshi and several of his gang members during an intense raid in the dense forests of Zurmi Local Government Area, Zamfara State.

Intelligence sources reported to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Friday that Na Faranshi and his fighters were neutralized after a direct engagement with military forces.

Kachalla Na Faranshi, who hails from Shirgi village in Maradi, Niger Republic, shifted his focus from the cattle trading business he once operated with his father to organized crime. He became deeply engaged in banditry and arms smuggling.

Zagozola Makama revealed that his base of operations was the Dutsen Kura forest, located southwest of Mashema in Zurmi LGA, serving as his stronghold. Na Faranshi gained notoriety for smuggling illegal firearms from Mali and Niger to equip various armed groups active across Nigeria’s troubled northwestern area.

He allegedly maintained ties with terrorist networks in Mali and was previously associated with the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji before branching out to create his own criminal syndicate.

In a video released on March 23, 2024, Na Faranshi displayed an array of advanced weaponry and a sizable group of fighters while threatening to attack Zurmi town in Zamfara State. His gang has been connected to several violent assaults, kidnappings, and arms trafficking operations throughout the region.

During the recent military operation, security forces clashed with Na Faranshi’s group in an intense firefight, ultimately neutralizing the bandit leader and several of his men.