What You Need To Know About Bandit Leader, Ali Kachalla Who Shot NAF Jet

A notorious bandit leader operating around the Dansadau axis of the vast Kuyambana Forest, Ali Kachalla, has been accused of recently shooting down a Nigeria Air Force Alpha Jet.

Kachalla has been identified as a young bandit leader controlling over 200 armed men in the Kuyambana forest located in Zamfara, Kebbi Kaduna and the Niger States.

Individuals who can identify Kachalla disclosed that he was born in Madada, a hamlet near Dansadau to a family of herders.

The terror kingpin who downed the jet through the use of heavy artillery power on June 18 is believed to be in his early 30s.

A source familiar with the affected communities noted that Kachalla’s current base is located along the bank of a river called River Goron Dutse, which is about 25 km south of Dansadau town.

Goron Dutse River is situated across the Kaduna–Zamfara boundary, with parts of it in Kaduna State and the other part in Zamfara State.

The source that spoke with Daily Trust on condition of anonymity said, “His settlement consisting of several strings of thatched huts is on Birnin Gwari side of the river. But, his large herd of cattle being manned by his heavily armed boys is based in Zamfara State.”

“As I’m talking to you his boys can be found in Dandalla, Madada and Gobirawa Kwacha communities. The villages are all situated southeast of Dansadau town. They are all being controlled by the armed men.”

Kachalla’s men are described as “fearless fighters” and have been laying ambush for security operatives for quite a long time. His boys said to outnumber most of those in other gangs in the area.

In recent times, Kachalla has stepped up attacks on Dansadau town to protest the blocking of supplies to him from the town and the villagers’ help in the escape of the military pilot who he wanted to capture alive.

In one of the attacks, his men set an Armoured Personnel Carrier ablaze, after chasing security forces deployed to the town.

“Dansadau community has drawn the ire of Kachalla and his boys after local traders were blocked from selling food to him,” one source said.

“There are some unscrupulous elements among the local traders who still take bread, soft drinks and other groceries to the bandits in the forest.”