Bello Turji’s deputies killed as troops close in on bandit kingpin, says CDS

Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), says troops have killed top commanders in the camp of Bello Turji, a “notorious bandit kingpin” in Zamfara state.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the CDS joint task force commander conference in Abuja on Friday, Musa identified the bandit commanders killed during operations as Kachalla Gwammade and Kachalla Shehu.

He said the terrorists were killed on Thursday night, adding that military actions in Zamfara have thrown Turji into a desperate scramble for escape.

“In a follow-up operation, troops advanced into Tufan and Mashima villages, further dislodging armed groups and pushing them deeper into the forest,” the CDS said.

“In a symbolic strike against banditry, the security forces also returned to the once-cleared area of Bello Turji. The remaining portions of his camp, previously targeted in past offensives, were obliterated in a final suit to erase his presence from the region.

“Reports indicate that both Turji and Sani Black are now in this area desperately seeking escape routes as the pressure mounts.”

The defence chief said the security forces had sent a strong message to all armed groups in the country that the era of impunity is over.

“For years, bandits, terrorists, and criminals have exploited the difficult terrain within our country, creating well-fortified hideouts and lodging deadly raids on communities,” he said.

“However, with the current operations gaining momentum, the tide appears to be turning as troops start their drip, and air assaults continue precision strikes. Special forces from the land, the maritime, and the air are working assiduously to ensure that we secure the entire nation.”

Musa reaffirmed that the military would sustain its momentum until all terrorist factions are neutralised.