Nigerian Army gains against Bello Turji as troops repel ambush and disrupt bandit camps in Zamfara and Sokoto operations

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded significant gains against armed bandits following a fierce gunbattle during an offensive targeting the hideout of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji in the Fakai axis of Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

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Security sources said the operation, spearheaded by the 8 Division Strike Force, commenced at about 6:00 a.m. on 20 March, with troops advancing into the Kagara Forest, a known stronghold of the Turji faction.

The advance suffered an early setback when two combat support vehicles developed mechanical faults near Maberaya village in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, forcing a temporary pause in movement.

The situation escalated when heavily armed bandits launched an ambush from elevated positions and dense forest cover.

Troops, however, mounted a decisive response, deploying superior firepower to repel the attack and eliminate several assailants in what sources described as a fierce encounter.

Three soldiers and one operative of the Department of State Services sustained injuries during the exchange and were evacuated to the 8 Division Military Hospital for treatment.

Amid the ongoing operations, Isa Local Government Chairman, Sharehu Abubakar Kamarawa, praised the military’s efforts, describing recent offensives as a breakthrough in the campaign against banditry.

Kamarawa disclosed that troops had earlier conducted a successful strike in Manawa village, neutralising several bandits before advancing towards Turji’s camp.

He said the sustained offensive has intensified pressure on criminal enclaves across the region.

The council chairman also expressed concern that such achievements often receive limited public attention. He noted that public discourse tends to focus more on setbacks than on operational successes recorded by security forces.

The latest operation highlights the increasing intensity of military campaigns across Sokoto and Zamfara states, where troops are pushing deeper into forest hideouts to dismantle armed groups responsible for years of killings, kidnappings and rural insecurity.

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Although official confirmation is yet to be issued, multiple local and security sources indicate that the offensive has disrupted the activities of Turji’s network, raising cautious optimism among affected communities.