Nigerian Military Eliminates 7 Key Aides of Bandit Kingpin Bello Turji

Nigerian forces of Operation FANSAN YANMA have successfully neutralized 24 bandits, including seven high-ranking leaders of the renowned bandit boss, Bello Turji.

This comes after Nigerian forces conducted a week-long campaign against banditry in the Northwest.

This was revealed in a post on his X account on Wednesday by Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism and insurgency specialist in the Lake Chad Basin.

According to Makama, the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Services and Special Forces of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade conducted the operations in a number of bandit hideouts in Gebe village, Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

“The week-long offensive aimed at dismantling Turji’s operational network targeted hideouts and camps in Shinkafi and Isa LGAs, areas notorious for criminal activities,” he said, citing intelligence sources.

The security expert went on to say that intelligence-driven raids and precision airstrikes by the Air Components aided the ground forces in the operation.

Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba, and Dan Inna Kahon Saniya (also known as Yafi Bahaushe) were among the seven well-known leaders that were eliminated.

These people played a crucial role in Turji’s operations by organizing attacks, overseeing logistics, and enabling the flow of supplies and weapons throughout the area. Their elimination throws a tremendous damage to the gang’s leadership and operational capabilities,” Makama said.

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He added that the operation was marked by sustained engagements, including ambushes, search-and-destroy missions, and strategic airstrikes.