Army Records Major Success Against Bello Turji’s Fighters
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised dozens of armed bandits in a fierce gun battle at the notorious hideout of bandit kingpin Bello Turji, located deep inside Kagara Forest in Fakai community, spanning Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of March 20, 2026, was led by the 8 Division Strike Force of the Nigerian Army Sokoto as part of ongoing routine operations against banditry activities in the restive North-West region.
A military source who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on condition of anonymity disclosed that the troops encountered heavy resistance from Turji’s fighters during the advance operation. “During the advance operation, two combat support vehicles developed mechanical faults near Maberaya village in the Isa local government area of Sokoto State, prompting a temporary halt in the troops’ movement,” the source explained.
“It was at that moment that heavily armed bandits from Turji’s camp launched an ambush, using high ground and forested areas for cover. However, the troops swiftly responded with superior firepower, engaging the bandits and eliminating several of them in the encounter,” the source added.
The confrontation resulted in casualties on both sides. Three soldiers and one member of the Department of State Services sustained injuries during the skirmish and were promptly evacuated to the 8 Division Military Hospital in Sokoto for treatment, according to the source.
The operation represents a significant tactical push against one of the most notorious bandit leaders operating in Nigeria’s North-West. Bello Turji has been linked to numerous attacks, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and extrajudicial killings across Zamfara, Sokoto, and neighbouring states over the past several years. His camp in Kagara Forest has long served as a strategic base for coordinating criminal operations across state lines, making it a priority target for security forces.
Banditry in Nigeria’s North-West has escalated dramatically since the mid-2010s, with armed groups terrorising rural communities, displacing thousands of residents, and crippling agricultural activities. Zamfara and Sokoto States have been particularly affected, with bandits operating from forested strongholds and conducting raids on villages, schools, and travellers. The Nigerian military has conducted several operations in the region, often facing challenges such as difficult terrain, limited intelligence, and the mobility of bandit groups.
The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, based in Sokoto, has been at the forefront of counter-banditry operations in the North-West, coordinating with other security agencies including the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and local vigilante groups. The division’s Strike Force, a specialised unit designed for rapid response and offensive operations, has been deployed repeatedly to confront heavily armed criminal elements in remote forest areas.
Meanwhile, the military source dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some news outlets that over 150 bandits drowned in a boat mishap in the Sabon Gida area of Sokoto State, describing the claim as false. “The news circulating that over 150 bandits drowned in a boat mishap in the Sabon Gida area is a fake report,” the source stated.
This position was corroborated by the National Inland Waterways Authority Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr Bello Bala, who confirmed that the report was fake. He added that the River Sabon Gida area is currently not navigable, making the alleged incident impossible.
The spread of misinformation regarding security operations has become a recurring challenge for Nigerian authorities, often complicating public understanding of the true security situation and undermining confidence in official communications. Security analysts have repeatedly called for greater transparency and timely information dissemination from military and government sources to counter false narratives.
As operations continue in the region, residents of affected communities remain hopeful that sustained military pressure on bandit enclaves will lead to lasting peace and security. However, experts emphasise that military action alone will not resolve the crisis without addressing underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment, proliferation of small arms, porous borders, and weak governance structures in rural areas.
The Nigerian government has in recent years implemented various strategies to combat banditry, including dialogue with some armed groups, imposition of telecommunications blackouts, deployment of additional troops, and establishment of joint task forces. Despite these efforts, banditry remains a persistent threat to stability and development in the North-West.