Katsina, Nigeria – Kachallah Bammi Yarma, a notorious bandit kingpin who was jailed in Niger Republic in 2015, has been released after serving his sentence and has now returned to Katsina State, Nigeria.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism expert in the Lake Chad Basin, disclosed this development on Tuesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Makama, Bammi Yarma was one of the deadliest bandits in the region before his capture in 2015 during the tenure of former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari. He was arrested in Danmusa, Katsina State, while smuggling arms and ammunition using nine camels.
His arrest was seen as a major victory against banditry, leading to the seizure of 1,000 livestock belonging to his criminal network and disrupting a key supply chain for armed groups in the region. He was later convicted and imprisoned by Nigerien authorities.
Fear Grows as Bammi Yarma Rebuilds His Network
Nine years later, intelligence reports indicate that Bammi Yarma has resurfaced in northwest Nigeria, where he previously led violent attacks, mass kidnappings, and cattle rustling operations across Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states.
Makama revealed that top bandit leaders have been paying homage to him, with some reportedly gifting him multiple firearms, including between five to ten rifles each.
His return has sparked fears of renewed violence, given his influence among armed groups and the existing security challenges in the region.
“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 warned.
The development raises serious security concerns, as authorities face increasing pressure to curb the rising tide of banditry in northern Nigeria.