Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, is reportedly fleeing after a sustained military offensive targeted his camp in Fakai, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Renowned counterinsurgency reporter @Zagazola revealed that troops under Operation Fansan Yanma launched a coordinated ground and air assault, dismantling key hideouts in the Fakai area.
The offensive builds on earlier successes in Zamfara’s Sabon Birni Local Government Area, where multiple bandit camps, including Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, and Zangon Kagara, were destroyed.
Military Achievements in the Offensive
“Among the camps targeted were Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, Zangon Kagara, and a school reportedly used by Turji to store foodstuffs and weapons,” reports @Zagazola. “The military burned the school to prevent it from serving as a supply base for Turji’s network.”
According to intelligence sources cited by Zagazola Makama, 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,” said the sources.
In addition to eliminating several of Turji’s associates, including high-profile lieutenants, the military neutralized other critical members of his network, possibly including family members.
Turji’s Fighters Retreat
Further reports indicate that some of Turji’s fighters were injured in earlier encounters, while others have retreated to Mangwarorin Gebe, where they are allegedly hiding stolen livestock and valuables.
Strategic Military Collaboration
The ongoing operation is described as both strategic and carefully planned. It is spearheaded by special forces with support from the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and 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,” sources said.