Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have eliminated top commanders in the camp of Bello Turji, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, made the disclosure on Friday at the closing ceremony of the CDS Joint Task Force Commander Conference in Abuja.
Musa identified the bandit commanders killed as Kachalla Gwammade and Kachalla Shehu, stating that they were neutralised on Thursday night. He added that military operations in Zamfara had thrown Turji into a desperate scramble for escape.
“In a follow-up operation, troops advanced into Tufan and Mashima villages, further dislodging armed groups and pushing them deeper into the forest,” the CDS said.
He further noted that security forces had launched a final assault on Bello Turji’s stronghold, ensuring that any remaining parts of his camp previously targeted in past offensives were completely destroyed.
“In a symbolic strike against banditry, the security forces also returned to the once-cleared area of Bello Turji. The remaining portions of his camp, previously targeted in past offensives, were obliterated in a final suit to erase his presence from the region.”
Musa revealed that Turji and another notorious bandit, Sani Black, are now in hiding, desperately looking for escape routes.
“Reports indicate that both Turji and Sani Black are now in this area desperately seeking escape routes as the pressure mounts.”
The defence chief warned that security forces had sent a strong message to all armed groups in the country that the era of impunity is over.
“For years, bandits, terrorists, and criminals have exploited the difficult terrain within our country, creating well-fortified hideouts and lodging deadly raids on communities,” he said.
“However, with the current operations gaining momentum, the tide appears to be turning as troops start their drip, and air assaults continue precision strikes. Special forces from the land, the maritime, and the air are working assiduously to ensure that we secure the entire nation.”
Musa assured that the military would sustain its operations until all terrorist factions are completely neutralised.
