Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a notorious bandit commander identified as Alti during a military operation in north-west Nigeria, dealing what security sources described as a major blow to criminal networks operating in the region.
A source at Army Headquarters disclosed on Monday that the operation targeted armed groups responsible for persistent attacks across Zamfara State, Katsina State and parts of Sokoto State.
According to the source, Alti had been linked to several attacks along the busy Gusau–Funtua Highway, a route that has recorded frequent kidnappings and ambushes in recent years.
Despite his relatively young age, the bandit leader had reportedly risen to a prominent position among armed factions operating in the north-west.
Security sources said Alti controlled a network of camps stretching from areas in southern Gusau to locations near Jibiya and Funtua. From these bases, fighters under his command were accused of carrying out kidnappings, highway ambushes and attacks involving improvised explosive devices.
Within bandit networks, Alti was reportedly known by the nickname “the money bank” due to his role in coordinating ransom payments from multiple kidnapping operations.
He had also gained attention on social media through videos posted on TikTok, where he was seen displaying weapons and issuing threats.
Security analysts say his elimination could significantly disrupt kidnapping operations along the Zamfara–Katsina corridor, an area long considered a strategic hub for bandit activity.
Communities across the region have endured repeated abductions in recent years, often forced to pay large ransoms for the release of victims. Analysts believe the removal of key commanders such as Alti is critical to weakening organised criminal networks operating across north-west Nigeria.
