Security forces in the country are desperately searching for notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji following reports that he’s planning to launch attacks on some communities in the north west part of the country.
According to sources close to the National Security Adviser, NSA office “an order” has been issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the military and other security operatives, including the Department of State Services, DSS, Police and others to search and “neutralise” him wherever he’s found to stop him from further inflicting killings and death on Nigerians.
Others sources who spoke on the issue stated that the Nigerian Airforce Special Forces contingent has also been ordered to join ground troops in the coming assault in Turji’s strongholds in the two states.
“Recall that the Airforce Special Forces have played a major role in the attacks and clearance operations of the Armed Forces recently, including in Kogi state, where many bandit leaders were eliminated, and the successful rescue of General Rabe’s widow in Katsina state,” the source said.
Some bandit leaders killed in the Kogi miliatyr operations include Kachala Ibrahim Batijo (also spelled Battijo or Baccujo) and his deputy, Isa Mai Dabbaba, who were neutralized few days ago by a joint task force of Nigerian security forces.
The order was said to have been granted after reports that Bello who have killed many people in the north west, rustled cattle, sacked farmers from their farms, is currently training some fighters, including renegade Boko Haram fighters, in some parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states, in preparation for a bigger assault in some communities in the twos states.
Basharu Altine Guyawa Isa, the Sokoto State Coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance, had at the weekend revealed that the notorious kingpin is planning a wider assault on the two states, and has embarked on a military-style training and weapons handling exercises in preparation for the attack which he said could happen anytime soon.
The NGO coordinator claimed that preliminary findings indicate that Turji and his other cohorts, Illa Manawa and Bomi, are taking part in the drill, on how to handle sophisticated weapons, including assaults riffles, the use of night vision head gear and other tactical training in some communities surrounding Sokoto state and its environs.
Isa stated in a Facebook page that some of the fighters, including Boko Haram terrorists who have joined Turji in the training exercise with the aim of strengthening his ranks, are experts in ‘weapons handling” and are ready to confront security agencies anytime from now.
He said: “Our findings suggest that these fighters are currently engaged in weapons training and tactical exercises using newly acquired arms, including some of the same sophisticated weapons reportedly deployed during recent confrontations with security forces,” he said.
“There are indications that some of the new arrivals possess advanced combat and weapons-handling expertise. Their mission, according to sources, is to train and strengthen Turji’s fighters operating within the border communities of Sokoto and Zamfara states.”
The magazine reports that Turji had recently claimed responsibly for the attack on some security personnel, which led to the killings of some soldiers and policemen. In another viral video believed to be from him, the bandit kingpin claimed that he has acquired sophisticated assaults weapons, vowing to eliminate those he accused of rustling cattle from Hausa communities and killing his people.
In the video, dated June 20, 2026, a masked speaker, believed to be Turji, appeared alongside armed men dressed in military-style camouflage and claimed that his fighters had carried out attacks against those he accused of killing members of their communities and confiscating their livestock.
In spite of his threats to attack, the bandit leader also said he’s open to peace talks with the federal government, but said his fighters are ready for any eventuality.
“Some people who are chasing away our livestock are killing our innocent brothers and sisters, people who have done nothing wrong, in places such as Shinkafi in Zamfara State, Sabon Birni in Sokoto State and other surrounding areas,” Turji said.
“We killed them. May Allah help us to succeed in defeating them and in recovering our animals from their hands.
“If the government is ready for negotiation, we are also ready for negotiation. But if they want to continue with force, we are prepared. Our fighters are ready for whatever comes.”
Turji has been linked to to the deadly attacks on communities and violent confrontations with security forces which have led to mass abductions and killings of many people in the north west part of the country, particularity, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
In July 2021, Turji reportedly took more than 200 people hostage, killed 63 residents and set over 338 houses ablaze in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Two months later, in September 2021, Turji launched another major attack in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack forced residents of more than 14 villages to flee their homes, while over 1,000 cattle were rustled.
Many residents reportedly crossed into the neighbouring Niger Republic and sought refuge in Maradi.
One of the most recent attacks linked to Turji was the assault on a joint military base known as Burkusuma Camp in Dama community, Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Dama is among the communities that have repeatedly come under attack from Turji and his loyalists.
During the attack, an unspecified number of security personnel were reportedly killed.
Military vehicles were burnt, while rifles and other military equipment were taken away by the attackers. The incident reportedly forced troops stationed at the camp to retreat to Basira, a border community near the Niger Republic.
The Nigerian military later attributed the attack to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In June 2025, Turji’s fighters were reported to have killed some security operatives during an ambush near Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security analyst Bakatsine also alleged that the attackers set a military vehicle ablaze during the incident.
Bakatsine further claimed that Turji released a video showing the execution of a former bandit, Bashari Maniya, whom he accused of collaborating with security agencies after abandoning criminal activities.
Earlier, in September 2024, a video surfaced online showing Turji and his fighters celebrating after two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army were burnt in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In the footage, the bandits displayed the destroyed vehicles while chanting victory slogans. Turji was also seen making claims that his group had seized military trucks and issuing threats against security forces.
In January 2025, suspected members of Turji’s group abducted 10 passengers and set their vehicle ablaze along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road in Zamfara State.
The attack occurred shortly after the Defence Headquarters declared Turji “a dead man walking” and vowed that he and other terror leaders would not survive beyond 2025.
The incident was believed to be connected to threats allegedly issued by Turji over the continued detention of his brother, Baka Wurgi, by military authorities.
The attackers reportedly ambushed the commercial vehicle at Kwanar Jalab village in Zungeru Ward of Shinkafi Local Government Area while it was travelling from Gusau to Shinkafi town.
Turji has managed to escape security forces in the past, including an order from a former Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru, on the military arrest and kill him.
Badaru had in one of his working visit totroops of Operation Fansar Yamma ordered them to arrest the notorious bandits’ kingpin, saying the federal government would provide all they needed to do the job.
“I had some reassurances from the commander officer and was pleased, sure that we would reach the goal. Are you ready to finish with them? Are you ready to end it? Please get me Turji,” Badaru said then.
With reports From Daily Trust
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