Military zoom in on wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji, kill son, destroy camp, food storage

The days of Nigeria’s most wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji, seems to be truly numbered as reports have emerged that the military have zoomed in on his location, destroying his food storage facility and killing one of his sons in a coordinated attack.

Counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama who confirmed the development in a post on X on Sunday, said the attack on Turji’s hitherto unknown location, was carried out by a combined ground and air troops under the Operation Fansan Yanma which dismantled the bandit’s key hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where Turji and his associates have long operated from.

Reports from other sources added that the military also destroyed Turji’s food storage facility hidden in an abandoned school building in the Fakai village.

“The school building in Fakai village, suspected to be used as a storage facility for food supplies by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, has been completely destroyed,” a security report said.

“The facility which had been stockpiled with food items, was razed to the ground, leaving the structure in ruins. This comes after a series of successful missions that resulted in the destruction of multiple bandit camps in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Zamfara State,” the report said.

In his post on X, Makama wrote:

“Among the camps targeted were Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, Zangon Kagara, and a school reportedly used by Turji to store foodstuffs and weapons. The military burned the school to prevent it from serving as a supply base for Turji’s network.

“Intelligence sources comfirmed to Zagazola Makama that Turji’s group has suffered significant losses.

“We killed his son and many of his fighters during the operation. I also listened to Turji’s panicked voice calling for reinforcements from seven other bandit leaders. None of them showed up, and one of his spies narrowly escaped from us today,” the sources said.

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“A considerable number of Turji’s associates, including high profile lieutenants and possibly family members, were neutralized during the targeted strikes.

“Further reports reveal that four of Turji’s fighters were injured in previous encounters, while others have retreated to Mangwarorin Gebe, allegedly hiding stolen livestock and valuables.

“The operation, described as strategic and carefully planned, is primarily led by a special forces with support from the General Officer Commanding (GOC). The special forces are supplemented by personnel from the Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS), provided by the Theatre Command.

“This operation is one of the most decisive efforts in recent times. Our forces are committed to ending the impunity of notorious bandits. This is a sustained campaign to dismantle these networks completely.

“Recent military successes have been attributed to proactive intelligence sharing and early warning systems, which facilitated the evacuation of civilians from high risk areas, thereby reducing collateral damage.

“The Nigerian Air Force executed a series of precise airstrikes, dismantling crucial hideouts and significantly undermining Turji’s operational capabilities.

“Elite troops from Operation Hadarin Daji and the special forces unit of Operation Fansan Yamma have strategically positioned themselves along key escape routes.

“Credible intelligence indicates that Turji was last sighted at Zangon Gebe, where he remains surrounded by his heavily armed fighters.”

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