Notorious bandit leader and terrorist, Bello Turji, is on the run for his life following renewed onslaughts from the Nigerian military against him and his fighters.
According to information obtained by Naijaonpoint, the military has deployed special forces and elite troop members against Turji and his men in renewed efforts at tackling banditry in the Northwest region.
The heavy military assault targets Turji’s strongholds, including strategic locations in Fakai, a notorious enclave within the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, long identified as a safe haven for the bandit kingpin and his associates.
According to information made available by PR Nigeria, the latest military action follows proactive intelligence-sharing and early warning systems, which enabled the evacuation of civilians from high-risk zones, thereby minimizing collateral damage.
While many high-profile lieutenants, commanders, fighters, and possibly family members were killed in the recent series of precise airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which dismantled key hideouts and significantly weakened the bandit leader’s operational capabilities, Turji himself is said to be on the run.
In this regard, elite troops from Operation Hadarin Daji and the special forces unit of Operation Fansan Yamma have strategically positioned themselves along critical escape routes near Badarawa, Chida, Fakai, and surrounding communities.
A credible defence intelligence source said the ongoing operations are part of a deliberate and sustained campaign aimed at the complete eradication of bandit leaders and their networks.
“This is one of the most decisive military operations in recent times. The era of notorious bandits operating with impunity is coming to an end. Our approach is precise and unrelenting,” the source stated.
The quoted official also praised the cooperation of local political and community leaders in providing critical intelligence to security operatives, while the morale of security forces remains at an all-time high.
“We have implemented a robust early warning system to alert civilians, ensuring that only bandit enclaves are targeted. With the strong support of the government and the public, our troops are fully committed to dismantling these criminal strongholds,” the source added.