Sixteen bandits were killed in a violent clash between rival groups in Zamfara State, Nigeria, on Friday. The dead included two notorious commanders, Alhaji Nagala and Maikube, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.
The commanders were from different factions of the terrorist group, and the deadly clash happened in the Maru County (local government area). The two factions had been fighting each other for months, and the latest battle was over controlling a key area.
Both men were allegedly behind a string of kidnappings, cattle thefts, and attacks on villages in the Northwest State. Their elimination deals a potential blow to bandit operations in Zamfara where banditry has been a major security concern since 2012, with residents trapped in the violence. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
