Three of Zamfara State’s most feared bandit leaders—Kachalla Dan Baba, Kachalla Abu Guddi, and Kachalla Bello Kurma—have reportedly lost their sanity after prolonged abuse of hard drugs, leading their own fighters to disarm and abandon them in the forests.
According to intelligence reports monitored by Zagazola, a counter-insurgency publication, the warlords began exhibiting severe mental instability, including hallucinations, incoherent speech, and erratic behavior, prompting their gangs to strip them of weapons and desert them.
The incident, which occurred on March 27, has thrown their criminal factions into disarray, with security experts suggesting this could weaken bandit operations in the region.
Who Are the Bandit Leaders?
- Kachalla Dan Baba: Based in Kudo village near Buzaya Forest (Maru LGA), he commanded over 50 fighters and was responsible for kidnappings, highway ambushes, and cattle rustling across Zamfara and neighboring states.
- Kachalla Abu Guddi: Operated from Gidan Garba village (Maru LGA), known for brutal raids on communities, civilian killings, and arms trafficking.
- Kachalla Bello Kurma: Held a stronghold in Buzaya Forest, considered one of the most ruthless bandits with ties to terror groups in the North-West.
How It Happened
An intelligence source, a vigilante operative tracking bandit activities, disclosed that the warlords suddenly began talking to themselves, making irrational decisions, and displaying signs of severe mental breakdown.
“Their own fighters sensed weakness and, fearing for their survival, disarmed them and left them wandering in the forests,” the source said.
Security analysts attribute the mental collapse to prolonged drug abuse, a common issue among bandit leaders. Some locals, however, believe spiritual forces may have played a role in their downfall.
Security Implications
With their leaders incapacitated, the bandit factions may either scatter or seek new alliances. A security operative stated, “This is an opportunity to strike before they regroup.”
The incident marks a significant disruption in Zamfara’s bandit networks, though security forces remain on high alert for potential retaliatory attacks or reorganization attempts.