Mohamed Garba
In a major victory against terrorism, Nigerian military forces have eliminated Shaudo Alku, a high-ranking lieutenant of notorious warlord, Bello Turji, in a targeted airstrike in Sokoto State. The operation, executed by the Air Component of Operation Fasan Yama, struck a terrorist hideout near Tunfa Primary School in Isa Local Government Area, neutralizing Alku and multiple fighters linked to cross-border insurgent activities.
Military sources confirmed that Alku, a key architect of arms procurement and logistics for Turji’s network, had crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic to attend a clandestine strategy meeting. Surveillance teams, acting on actionable intelligence, pinpointed the gathering, enabling a swift aerial assault that also killed suspected high-ranking commanders.
“This operation significantly degrades the command structure of terrorist groups plaguing the Northwest,” an anonymous military official disclosed. “Alku was no ordinary foot soldier—he was the lifeline for Turji’s cross-border operations,” the official added.
The Nigerian Army, in a formal statement, hailed the strike as proof of its resolve to “rid the country of terrorism and restore peace” to embattled regions like Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina. Mop-up operations are said to be underway to apprehend fleeing militants.
Turji, one of Nigeria’s most wanted bandit leaders, has long terrorized the Northwest with mass abductions, village raids and killings. His network, spanning state and international borders, has complicated counterinsurgency efforts. Analysts warn that while Alku’s death disrupts Turji’s logistics, sustained pressure is critical. “This is a tactical win, but the war demands regional coordination, particularly with Niger and Chad,” emphasized Dr. Yusuf Anka, a Sokoto-based security analyst.
Residents in Isa LGA expressed cautious optimism. “We heard explosions, then saw helicopters. It felt like the government hadn’t abandoned us,” shared an anonymous local. The strike forms part of Operation Fagge Yama, an intensified aerial campaign targeting terrorists in the Northwest. Military officials pledged to release further details, including casualty figures and intelligence gains, in the coming days.
As communities brace for potential retaliatory attacks, the operation reveals Nigeria’s renewed efforts to dismantle terror networks—though experts stress that lasting peace hinges on cross-border collaboration and long-term strategic investments.