Troops of the Nigerian Army, under Operation Fansan Yanma, have launched a successful assault on the hideout of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji in Fakai, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The operation, involving combined ground and air forces, resulted in the destruction of Turji’s food storage facility, the killing of one of his sons, and significant losses to his group.
Counter-insurgency and security expert Zagazola Makama confirmed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. According to Makama, the military targeted key locations associated with Turji’s operations, including Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, and Zangon Kagara, along with a school reportedly used as a storage site for food and weapons.
“The military burned the school to prevent it from serving as a supply base for Turji’s network,” Makama stated.
Intelligence sources revealed that Turji’s group suffered heavy casualties during the operation, including the death of several high-profile associates.
“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,” a source disclosed.
The military’s strategic strikes reportedly neutralized many of Turji’s lieutenants and possibly some family members, further destabilizing his operations.
Bello Turji, a notorious terrorist and bandit leader, has long been a major threat in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states. The Military High Command has described him as a “dead man walking,” underscoring its commitment to neutralizing his network.
Speaking on military operations in 2024, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba, emphasized the importance of eliminating such threats to achieve lasting peace.
“The terrorists exist for the sake of war and must be destroyed for the sake of peace,” he stated.
The military continues to apply relentless pressure on terrorist enclaves, hideouts, and strongholds in the region. These efforts aim to dismantle Turji’s network and hasten the end of the insurgency in the North-West.
This operation is seen as a critical step in the ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism, which have devastated communities across Zamfara and neighboring states.
