Notorious bandit leader and terrorist Bello Turji is reportedly on the run following a renewed offensive by the Nigerian military targeting him and his fighters.
According to reports, the military has deployed elite troops and special forces to intensify efforts against banditry in the Northwest region.
The operation targets Turji's strongholds, including strategic locations in Fakai, a notorious hideout within the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, long recognized as a safe haven for Turji and his associates.
PR Nigeria reports that the latest military offensive was bolstered by proactive intelligence-sharing and early warning systems, which allowed for the safe evacuation of civilians from high-risk areas, minimizing collateral damage.
In a series of precise airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), numerous high-ranking lieutenants, commanders, fighters, and possibly family members of Turji were killed. These strikes dismantled key hideouts and severely weakened Turji's operational network, forcing him to flee.
Troops from Operation Hadarin Daji and the special forces unit of Operation Fansan Yamma have strategically positioned themselves along key escape routes near Badarawa, Chida, Fakai, and surrounding areas to intercept him.
A credible defense intelligence source described the ongoing campaign as a deliberate and sustained effort to eradicate bandit leaders and their networks.
"This is one of the most decisive military operations in recent history. The era of notorious bandits operating with impunity is coming to an end. Our approach is precise and unrelenting," the source said.
The source also commended the support of local political and community leaders for providing vital intelligence, adding that the morale of security forces remains at an all-time high.
"We have implemented an effective early warning system to protect civilians and focus exclusively on bandit enclaves. With strong backing from the government and the public, our troops are committed to dismantling these criminal strongholds," the source added.
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