January 13, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, which recently declared Bello Turji, the notorious bandit kingpin terrorising Northwest states, particularly Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara, as “dead man walking”, made good its plan to neutralise him when a combined infantry and air force dismantled his base at the weekend, killing scores of his commanders while he fled to the mountains within range of the military.
The onslaught, which is part of the ongoing larger plan against pervasive banditry and criminality in the North west since President Bola Tinubu last September directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle and military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto was the height of successive victories recorded by the military in recent times.
Announcing the significant victory against banditry in the region, on Sunday the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Director of Public Relations and Information Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboboye, said the killing of several top bandit commanders and other fighters in a series of airstrikes conducted in the Northwest states, was a significant victory in the ongoing battle against banditry in the region.
He said that the operation which was carried out in collaboration with ground troops, has been inflicted heavy casualties on bandits loyal to notorious leader Kachallah Bello Turji.
While the exact number of casualties was not disclosed, Akinboyewa noted that intelligence reports indicated severe losses among the bandits.
“Scores of bandits were neutralized, while many others, including some top commanders, sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
The airstrikes were part of Operation Fansan Yamma, described as a meticulously planned and executed air-ground assault. The operation, he further said, relied on real-time intelligence from an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform to ensure precise targeting.
“The identified targets were swiftly engaged using rockets and cannons in multiple passes, delivering devastating blows to the enemy,” Akinboyewa stated, adding that “The aircrew maintained visual and radio contact with the ground troops.”
THEWILL recalls that though he is not the only terrorists operating in the zone, Bello Turji is considered the most dreaded and brutal, with a region-wide network that enables him to impose huge monetary levies on communities on pain of death. That is why stakeholders keep impressing the military of the need to take him out to bring sanity to the region.
Groups like the Arewa Youths Coalition for Peace and Northern Elders Progressive Group as well as serving and military officers and a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, have called for a firm step to dismantle the criminal network led by the notorious bandit, Turji as his elimination will bring great relief to the zone.
Expressing concern over Turji’s recent ultimatum on communities to contribute gifts in cash and kind or face attack, that often led to burning of houses and farmlands, Bafarawa said, “Most of the people living close to my town are now taking refuge in my village, fearing for their lives. Even Bafarawa town itself has become a no-go area, which is very pathetic.”
Meanwhile, a suspected terrorist group carried out a deadly attack on border facilities in Kangiwa Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Friday evening, killing four persons, according to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The attack, which occurred around 7:20 p.m. targeted the Kangiwa border post of the Service.
Kenneth Udo, a NIS spokesman, confirmed that a local watchman and three contractors working at the border facility were killed.
While no immigration officers were killed, the statement acknowledged that the border facilities suffered “substantial damage.”
Even so, Zamfara State Government on Sunday commended the Nigerian military’s efforts in the renewed onslaught against bandits in the state.
Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal said the Nigerian Air Force, in a successful airstrike over the weekend, decisively targeted bandits attacking villages in Zurmi and Maradun local government areas.
He said, “We have received multiple positive reports of precision strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansar Yamma over the weekend in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas.
“This intervention by the military has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits and has shown the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force to carrying out its constitutional mandate of protecting civilians and safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
“In light of these achievements, the state government reaffirms its commitment to providing all necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to sustain their operations and bring lasting peace to the state.
He expressed regrets over some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilantes who were killed during the operation in Tungar Kara, promising that, “the government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families.
Similarly, Uba Sani, of Kaduna State and Dikko Radda of Katsina State, have commended the Nigerian Air Force for its relentless onslaught against bandits and terrorists in their respective states.
They called on the military to sustain their efforts which have led to the disorganisation of the networks of the terrorists.
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