A Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has disclosed that notorious bandit kingpin, Kachallah Bammi Yarma, who was jailed in Niger Republic in 2015, has been released after serving his sentence.
According to security expert, Yarma has now returned to Katsina, a state in the northwestern part of Nigeria, nine years later.
Makama, who made this known on his X handle post on Tuesday, 4 February, 2025, added that Yarma, regarded as one of the deadliest bandits in the region, was captured in 2015 during the tenure of former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
The security expert said the bandit’s arrest was a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry, as he was caught smuggling arms using nine camels in Danmusa, Katsina State.
“At the time, authorities seized 1,000 livestock belonging to his network and disrupted a critical supply chain for bandit operations in the region. He was later convicted and imprisoned by the authorities in Niger Republic,” Makama said.
He also revealed that intelligence sources told him Bammi Yarma has reappeared in northwest Nigeria, where he previously led violent attacks, mass kidnappings, and cattle rustling operations.
Makama noted that the dreaded bandit’s return has triggered fear, given his influence among bandit networks across Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
“Intelligence sources indicate that top bandit leaders have been paying homage to him, some reportedly gifting him multiple firearms, including five to ten rifles each.
“His re-emergence could significantly escalate violent activities in the Northwest, an area already plagued by insecurity.
“His activities included mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, and widespread attacks on villages across Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara states,” Makama stated.
