Reports over the weekend say a notorious bandit commander, Kachalla Sani Yellow, has been killed in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, although conflicting accounts have emerged over the circumstances of his death.

Multiple local sources said Yellow was shot dead on Friday, July 10, at Dan Jibga Market by gunmen believed to be loyal to rival bandit leader, Dogo Gide.

According to the sources, the assailants ambushed Yellow in broad daylight while he was conducting activities at the market.

Residents familiar with armed groups in the area described the killing as further evidence of the growing rivalry among bandit factions competing for territory and influence across Zamfara.

According to Zagagola Makama, a separate account, however, attributed Yellow’s death to a coordinated security operation in Anka Local Government Area.

Security sources said the bandit commander was neutralised during an offensive involving security operatives and members of the Maiduguri Special Vigilantes recently deployed to support counter-banditry operations in the state.

The sources said the operation formed part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal enclaves and eliminate high-profile bandit leaders.

Security authorities had yet to officially establish which of the two accounts accurately reflected the circumstances surrounding Yellow’s death as of the time of filing this report.