The bandit leader who masterminded the downing of the fighter jet of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in July in Zamfara State, as been identified as Ali Kachalla and he allegedly wanted to capture the pilot of the fighter jet alive.
WITHIN NIGERIA had reported that the Air Force jet crashed after coming under serious bandits attacks in Zamfara. However, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo survived the crash.
According to Daily Trust, Kachalla, who is one of the bandit leaders operating in the North-West region of the country, is in his thirties and reportedly stepped up attacks on Dansadau town to protest the blocking of supplies to him from the town.
The pilot, Fl. Lt A. Dairo was said to have escaped from the crash through the help of villagers as Kachalla wanted to capture alive.
The publication reported that the bandit leader controls over 200 armed men in Kuyambana forest and is known to take special interest in ambushing military personnel. Kachalla’s armed men outnumber most of those in other gangs in the area.
A source in the area 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 and his men in one the attacks, reportedly set an armoured personnel carrier ablaze after chasing security forces deployed in the town.
A source said; “Dansadau community has drawn the ire of Kachalla and his boys after local traders were blocked from selling food to him.
“There are some unscrupulous elements among the local traders who still take bread, soft drinks and other groceries to the bandits in the forest.”