Troops have neutralised a notorious bandit commander, identified as Alti, who terrorised communities along the Gusau–Funtua road and surrounding areas in North-West Nigeria.
A credible source at the Army Headquarters said that Alti was killed during a recent military operation, delivering a significant blow to criminal networks across Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Sokoto.
Despite his youth, Alti had risen to become one of the most influential commanders among armed bandit groups in the region, reportedly operating bases from southern Gusau to areas around Jibiya and Funtua.
From these strongholds, his fighters allegedly carried out kidnappings, ambushes, and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks along key highways.
Known among bandits as “the money bank” for controlling ransoms from multiple kidnapping operations, Alti had become a feared figure both on the ground and online, appearing in TikTok videos flaunting weapons and issuing threats.
Security analysts noted that his death could disrupt kidnapping syndicates along the strategic Zamfara–Katsina corridor and weaken cells loyal to him, highlighting ongoing efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks in North-West Nigeria.
Residents in the region, who have endured repeated abductions and often paid large ransoms, see the elimination of leaders like Alti as critical to restoring security and stability.