Troops have killed scores of bandits in camps linked to notorious kingpin Bello Turji during coordinated operations in Zamfara State and Sokoto State, military sources said.
The targeted hideouts were located in Fakai community in Shinkafi and Isa local government areas of the two states, respectively. A military source said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat banditry in Nigeria’s northwest.
The source said troops from the 8 Division Strike Force of the Nigerian Army launched the operation in the early hours of March 20, advancing into Turji’s camp in the Kagara Forest.
During the advance, two combat support vehicles developed mechanical faults near Maberaya village in Isa local government area of Sokoto State, forcing a temporary halt.
The source said heavily armed bandits launched an ambush from elevated and forested positions, but troops responded with superior firepower, killing several of the attackers.
Three soldiers and one operative of the Department of State Services were injured in the exchange and evacuated to the 8 Division Military Hospital in Sokoto for treatment, the source said.
Authorities also dismissed reports that more than 150 bandits drowned in a boat accident in the Sabon Gida area of Sokoto State, describing the claim as false. The National Inland Waterways Authority confirmed the report was inaccurate, noting the river in the area is not navigable.
Separately, the Kwara South Security Joint Watch criticized what it described as a weak response by leaders in the district to rising insecurity.
The group issued a threat alert shortly before an attack on an ECWA church in Omugo via Oro-Ago community in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State on Sunday. Eight worshippers were abducted, including the wife of the church leader, though three were later rescued.
In a statement, the group’s coordinator, Olaitan Zubairu, expressed frustration that earlier warnings were not acted upon.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu reiterated that troop welfare remains central to military efforts to address insecurity.
He spoke during an Eid-el-Fitr luncheon with troops at the Forward Operating Base in Epe, Lagos, emphasizing that morale and well-being are critical to operational success.
Shaibu also honored fallen personnel and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support. He stressed the need for collaboration among security agencies to sustain gains against insecurity.
The army chief also commended troops of the 3 Armoured Division, Operation Enduring Peace, during a separate event in Jos, praising their efforts to restore peace.
