Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, is said to be ‘incapacitated’ following severe injuries he is said to have sustained when military fighter jets raided his hideouts and bandits camps in the North West.
According to PRNigeria, the attack jets of the Air Task Force, ATF, Operation Hadin Kai, also killed several bandits, in the raid carried out at some forests in Zamfara and Sokoto States, early Saturday.
In Kaduna however, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, has announced the killing of 38 persons by bandits in Giwa Local Government Area.
In Zamfara and Sokoto, PRNigeria reports that the Air Task Force aggressive operation, in conjunction with ground troops of the Nigerian Army, took place at Shinkafi town in Zamfara, and Bafarawa, Isa, Sabon Birni axis in Sokoto State.
According to an intelligence source the online publication quoted, the actual number of bandits who were eliminated by the airstrikes could not be ascertained after operations.
PRNigeria, however, gathered that some bandits who sustained serious injuries attempted to flee, but were ambushed by ground troops.
“Apart from spontaneous operations in Katsina and Zamfara, from 16-17 December 2021, strikes were conducted by NAF aircraft at bandits camps in Isa, Sabon Birni axis and East Tozei where several bandits were eliminated while others escaped in disarray.
“Furthermore on the morning of 18 Dec 21, airstrikes were carried out in Gebe Village, Sokoto State where bandits were hitherto harassing innocent citizens (and) were also mercilessly dealt with. Yet, few of the bandits still escaped, abandoning their weapons, in the process,” the source added.
Revealing how their military operation was conducted in the two North West States, another intelligence operative of the Nigerian Army, said recent joint operations by air and ground troops are yielding positive results.
He said a General Officer Commanding, GOC, led troops to strongholds of the bandits in Sokoto and Zamfara States, while at the same time multiple airstrikes pounded the bandits enclave.
“Many of them were neutralized. Credible reports indicate that Turji was badly wounded by today’s strike…. There were civilians that were also set free, after our military raids at the bandits’ forest camps,
“There may likely be collateral damages in communities where bandits are harboured and protected because some community leaders are reluctant to provide useful information on the bandits in their areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, following the report of attacks by bandits across villages in Idasu, Giwa LGA, security agencies have confirmed to the Kaduna State Government that 38 people were killed across the locations attacked, Abuja said in a statement.
“Twenty-nine of the victims have been identified, with nine remaining unidentified as of the time of this update. The 29 identified are listed as:
1. Rabi`u Wada
2. Salisu Boka
3. Alh Nura Nuhu
4. Alh Bashari Sabiu
5 Alh Lawal Dahiru
6. Abbas Saidu
7 Inusa Kano
8 Malam Lawal Nagargari
9. Malam Aminu
10. Lawal Maigyad
11. Alh Mustapha
12 Lawal Aliyu
13 Sale Makeri
14 Sani Lawal
15 Auwal Umar
16 Jamilu Hassan
17 Badamasi Mukhtar
18 Malam Jibril
19 Lawal Tsawa
20 Sule Hamisu
21 Sadi Bala
22 Kabiru Gesha
23 Abubakar Sanusi
24 Saiph Alh Abdu
25 Haruna Musa
26 Lawal Hudu
27 Malam Shuaibu Habibu
28 Malam Yahaya Habibu
29 Abubakar Yusuf
“Further details will be published as they are confirmed,” the commissioner added.