By Muhammad Mamman
A notorious bandit kingpin in Zamfara State, Ado Aleru, has allegedly executed seven of his fighters on suspicion of betrayal, sparking fear and mistrust within his ranks.
Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama revealed on Thursday that Aleru personally carried out the killings across several villages, including Takulawa, Turba, Bamamu, and in the Yamma forest axis.
According to Makama, the slain fighters were accused of carrying out unauthorised kidnappings along the Gusau–Yankara highway. “He personally executed seven of them after confirming they were behind recent abductions of travellers on the highway. He feared their reckless actions were drawing unwanted attention from security forces,” Makama quoted a source as saying.
The incident has reportedly unsettled Aleru’s remaining fighters, who now view the executions as a sign of deepening mistrust within the camp.
Aleru, who remains on Nigeria’s wanted list, has long been accused of orchestrating mass killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling across Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Sokoto State.
Ironically, the development comes amid reports that the notorious warlord has been in dialogue with a government committee over a potential peace deal aimed at ending hostilities in the North-West.
