But Expert Suggests Islamist Insurgencies in Sahel Threaten Nigerian Communities
By Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas
Residents of Kajuru county, bordering Kaduna metropolis, are in a celebratory mood following news of the death of notorious terrorist kingpin, Kachalla (“Boss”) Tukur Sharme on Sept. 21. The kidnap kingpin who dragged whole student bodies of colleges into the tangled forests of Niger State to be tortured for months was gunned down by a rival gang, according Kaduna Commissioner for Security and Internal Affairs Samuel Aruwan. Sharme’s elimination brings hope for peace after years of violence, kidnappings, and fear in communities in Kajuru and neighboring counties.
The death of Sharme marked a significant victory for Nigerian security forces. Sharme, whose name had become synonymous with fear and brutality in Kaduna and neighboring states was known for his merciless tactics and vast network of fighters. His reign of terror included mass kidnappings, village raids, and the imposition of illegal taxes on vulnerable communities. As TruthNigeria has reported, the gang system of taxing farmers is deeply entrenched in neighboring Zamfara State and reported in several Middle-Belt States.
“Kachalla Sharme was more than just a bandit,” recalls Abednago, a resident of a Kallah village in Kajuru county, his voice trembling with emotion as he speaks to Truth Nigeria. “He was a monster who tore families apart. The day we heard of his death, it was as if a dark cloud had lifted from our village. For the first time in years, we dared to hope.”
A statement signed by Commissioner Aruwan on his official X handle, on Monday September 23, 2024 confirmed the killing of Sharme by rival gang in a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’, in the Rijana and Kaso forests which span Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.
“After diligent follow-up operations and exploitation of vast human intelligence networks, it can be happily reported that the notorious bandit commander Kachalla Tukur Sharme, and other bandits, have been killed in a fratricidal clash.
“According to intelligence sources, five bandits were injured in the clash and are presently lurking in the area, seeking paramedics to manage their wounds.
“Sharme, a notorious bandit who had butchered many citizens, kidnapped hundreds and rustled innumerable herds of cattle, met his end in a battle between his group and an opposing gang.
“Sharme had several times escaped the crosshairs of security forces by a mere whisker and remained hotly sought after before he was gunned down by fellow terrorists.
“Sharme and his gang of bandits were largely responsible for attacks, killings and kidnappings in Millenium City, Maraban Rido, Kujama, Kajuru, Maro, villages in Kateri general area and other locations in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia and Birnin Gwari. This was in addition to his criminal acts in neighboring states of Katsina and Niger which were also left reeling from the waves of his terrorism.” Aruwan said.
The news of Shamrme’s death has been received with so much joy and hope by residents of Kajuru, a county that has been under the grip of Sharme reign of terror for many years. Some residents who spoke with TruthNigeria said they now have hope for a better future free of violence and terror. “We can now breath fresh air, this is the best news I’ve received this year says John Maikudi a resident of Maro who described the security challenges in Kajuru as devastating. “We have been living in hell for so many years. We abandoned our farms and businesses and even in our bedrooms, they still come and kidnap us and demand for huge ransoms we cannot afford, Maikudi said.
“Sharme’s death came to me like I won a jackpot says Mary Ishaku, a mother of three from Crossing. I cannot forget how he and his gangs kidnapped and raped our women, some were even killed in captivity, Ms Ishaku told TruthNigeria in tears.
However, the landscape of terror in Nigeria is nothing if not resilient. As security forces celebrate these victories, new threats are emerging. Dr. Walid Abdullahi, a respected security expert, shared alarming intelligence with TruthNigeria: “We have credible information that fighters from JNIM (an Al Qaeda -linked insurgency in Burkina Faso and Mali) are already moving south into Nigeria. This influx could potentially strengthen Islamist fighters in the country, presenting a new and complex challenge to our security apparatus.”
This development adds a transnational dimension to Nigeria’s security concerns, underscoring the interconnected nature of terrorist networks across the Sahel region.
The potential influx of JNIM fighters from the Sahel adds a new dimension to this struggle, potentially linking Nigeria’s homegrown insurgencies with broader, transnational terrorist networks. This development could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Nigeria but for West Africa and beyond.
As Nigeria grapples with these evolving threats, the human cost of the conflict remains staggering. Villages razed, lives lost, and communities displaced – the scars of this prolonged insurgency run deep.
Fatima, a schoolteacher from Jibia county in Katsina, summed up the human toll of this conflict during a phone call with TruthNigeria reporter: “Every child in my class has been touched by this violence in some way. They’ve lost family members, seen their homes destroyed, or lived in constant fear. How do you build a future for a generation that has known nothing but violence?”
As the Nigerian military continues its offensive against terrorist groups, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.
For now, Nigerians in the affected regions cautiously embrace the recent military successes, all while bracing for whatever challenges the shifting sands of terror may bring next. The world watches, hoping that Africa’s giant can overcome these trials and emerge stronger, more united, and at peace.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters with Truth Nigeria
