Residents of Jibia in Katsina State were left stunned on Tuesday as notorious bandit kingpin Audu Lankai dramatically resurfaced in the town, weeks after he was widely rumoured to have been killed.
Multiple local sources confirmed that Lankai returned to Jibia, his stronghold, to what witnesses described as a “hero’s welcome,” following his release by fighters loyal to rival bandit leader Bello Turji.
Lankai had previously been reported dead after he was abducted during a violent internal dispute with Turji’s faction—reports that circulated widely across affected communities and social media platforms in the North-West.
However, fresh intelligence indicates that the feared kingpin survived captivity by striking a deal with his captors. Sources familiar with the development said Lankai allegedly paid a substantial sum of money to Turji’s men in exchange for his life and freedom.
“People believed he was gone for good, but his sudden return shocked many,” a local resident told reporters. “His arrival caused fear, not celebration, because everyone knows what his presence means.”
Security analysts say the episode underscores the fluid alliances and brutal rivalries within bandit networks operating across Katsina, Zamfara, and neighbouring states, where financial leverage often determines survival.
The development has renewed anxiety in border communities around Jibia, a local government area repeatedly targeted by bandit attacks, kidnappings, and extortion.
As of press time, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on Lankai’s reappearance.
Residents, however, fear that his return could signal a fresh wave of violence and criminal activity in the already fragile area.
Observers warn that without sustained security pressure and intelligence-driven operations, the cycle of abduction, negotiation, and violent resurgence among bandit leaders will continue to undermine peace efforts in the North-West.
Source:@Mobilisingnigerians
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