Ground and air forces under Operation Fansan Yanma in their coordinated offensive military strikes against the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji in Zamfara State have reportedly sent the bandit leader fleeing after the military forces dismantled his key hideouts in Fakai, which is said to be his stronghold in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.
The operation followed a series of military strikes in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, where multiple bandit camps were destroyed.
Among the targeted camps were Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, Zangon Kagara, and a school that was reportedly used by Turji to store food and weapons, according to a security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on Sunday.
The military forces reportedly set the school ablaze to prevent it from serving as a supply base for Turji’s network.
It was also claimed that Turji’s son was killed during the military operation.
Makama quoted intelligence sources who confirmed significant losses for Turji’s group as saying, “We killed his son and many of his fighters during the operation.
“I also heard Turji’s desperate plea for reinforcements from seven other bandit leaders. None of them arrived, and one of his spies narrowly escaped.”
Several of Turji’s associates, including high-ranking lieutenants and possibly family members, were reportedly killed in the targeted strikes.
Also, it was reported that four of Turji’s fighters were injured in earlier engagements, while others have retreated to Mangwarorin Gebe, allegedly hiding stolen livestock and valuables.
The operation, described as meticulously planned, is being led by special forces with support from the General Officer Commanding (GOC).
These forces are reinforced by personnel from the Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS), as part of the Theatre Command’s strategic efforts.
The operation has also been seen as one of the most decisive actions against Turji’s group in recent times.
“Our forces are fully committed to eradicating the impunity of these notorious bandits. This is a sustained effort to dismantle their networks entirely,” an intelligence official was quoted as saying.
However, efforts by The Bureau Newspaper to confirm the operation and its reported outcome from the Nigerian military on Sunday failed as phone calls made to the mobile number of the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, returned unsuccessful, saying that the mobile line was not available.