Nigerian troops have escalated their offensive against the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, in Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, who made this known in a post on his X account on Sunday, stated that the recent coordinated military strikes have dismantled his key hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi Local Government Area.
Makama stated that the development 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 security expert listed the camps targeted by the military to include Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, Zangon Kagara, and a school reportedly used by Turji to store foodstuffs and weapons.
According to him, the military burned the school to prevent it from serving as a supply base for Turji’s network.
“Intelligence sources confirmed 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.
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,” Makama said.