The horrific abduction occurred on July 5, 2021, when bandits stormed the school, abducting 121 students from the premises located on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis. Sharme's gang later released the students in batches after extorting millions of naira from their families, leaving many traumatized by the ordeal.
While security forces mounted operations to repel Sharme and his group, two personnel tragically lost their lives in the confrontation. The last student, 13-year-old Treasure Ayuba, was freed in 2023 after spending over two years in captivity, marking the end of one of Nigeria’s most harrowing hostage situations.
Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed Sharme's death in a statement on Monday, September 23, 2024. He also revealed that several other bandits were either killed or left with severe injuries during the clash. "As the saying goes, those who live by the sword, die by the sword," Aruwan remarked, noting that diligent intelligence work had led to the demise of the notorious bandit.
In addition to Sharme, two other bandits from a rival group were killed in the firefight. The chaos allowed some kidnapped individuals to escape, adding a rare positive outcome to an otherwise grim situation. Intelligence reports suggest that five wounded bandits are still in hiding, desperately seeking medical attention for their injuries.
Sharme, whose criminal activities spanned multiple states, was responsible for numerous killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. He met his end in a fierce clash between his group and a rival gang near "Hambakko," located within the expansive Rijana and Kaso Forests that cover Kachia, Chikun, and Kajuru Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Despite numerous close encounters with security forces, Sharme had managed to evade capture several times. His group was a major force behind attacks across Kaduna, including areas like Millennium City, Maraban Rido, and Kajuru. His reign of terror also extended to neighboring states such as Katsina and Niger, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
One of Sharme’s most heinous acts was the 2021 abduction of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School. The fallout from this incident left deep scars on the community and highlighted the ongoing insecurity in the region. In the clash to repel Sharme and his gang, two security officers made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Authorities have urged residents of areas like Rijana, Kaso, and Kajuru to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds. They provided emergency contact numbers for those willing to assist, promising that all information would be handled with utmost confidentiality.
The death of Kachalla Tukur Sharme, once a notorious figure in Kaduna's criminal underworld, may signal a turning point in the fight against banditry, but the region remains on high alert as authorities continue their efforts to dismantle other criminal networks still at large.
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