GUSAU – Nigerian security sources have confirmed the killing of a notorious bandit leader, popularly known as Kachalla Sani Yellow, in Zamfara State during an intelligence-led operation.
The sources said Sani Yellow was killed in a special operation carried out by a joint security task force working alongside security agencies after receiving actionable intelligence from residents of the area.
According to the sources, he was ambushed while allegedly on his way to a local market to collect proceeds from the sale of stolen cattle as well as ransom payments from victims who had been abducted.
Following his death, reports said some members of the joint task force dragged his body behind a motorcycle as they celebrated what they described as the elimination of one of the bandit leaders who had long terrorised the area.
The sources said the joint force comprises community vigilantes and some repentant former Boko Haram fighters who now work with security agencies in gathering intelligence and carrying out operations against bandit camps in parts of Nigeria’s North-West.
Sani Yellow was described as one of the leading bandit commanders responsible for attacks in the forests of Anka, Bukkuyum and Maru local government areas, as well as other parts of Zamfara State.
He was accused of masterminding attacks that resulted in the loss of lives, kidnapping people for ransom, cattle rustling and forcing thousands of rural residents to flee their communities.
Community sources also alleged that the group under his command abused kidnapped victims, including women, particularly when their families were unable to pay ransom.
Reports further indicated that Sani Yellow was linked to the late Kachalla Yellow Ɗanbokolo, a notorious bandit leader who was reportedly killed in 2025 along with more than 170 of his fighters during a raid by vigilante forces in the Shinkafi area.
Following the operation, security agencies have intensified surveillance in the affected areas to prevent any retaliatory attacks by members of the gang.
Additional security personnel have also been deployed to vulnerable communities to safeguard lives and property.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the killing of Sani Yellow.
