Nigeria’s security community is awash with mixed reactions following reports that troops have killed the son of notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, in a recent operation.

The development has triggered debate, with some hailing the military’s efforts in tackling banditry, while others have raised concerns about the implications of targeting family members of high-profile criminals.

Combined ground and air troops under Operation Fansan Yanma had escalated their offensive against the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji in Zamfara State.

Recent coordinated military strikes were said to have dismantled Turji’s key hideouts in Fakai, a stronghold in Shinkafi Local Government Area where He and his fighters had long operated.

The latest onslaught against the notorious terrorist came after a series of successful missions that destroyed multiple bandit camps in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Among the camps targeted were Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, Zangon Kagara, and a school reportedly used by Turji to store foodstuffs and weapons.

The Defence Headquarters had confirmed that Turji’s group had suffered significant losses as his son was killed during the operation.

Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who confirmed the killing, noted that on January 17, 2025, a coordinated operation between troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA as well as the air component conducted clearance operations along Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa, and Chindo axis.

He said, “The operations killed scores of terrorists, including notorious terrorist leader Bello TURJI’s son, on Fakai high ground where the terrorists were hiding.

“The intensity of troops’ firepower resulted in high terrorist casualties, and their logistics hub was destroyed. The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped hostages held captive by Bello TURJI. The terrorist leader, Bello Turji, in a gross cowardly act, escaped, abandoning his son and combatants.”

A considerable number of Turji’s associates, including high-profile lieutenants, were neutralised during the targeted strikes.

Recent military successes have been attributed to proactive intelligence sharing and early warning systems, which facilitated the evacuation of civilians from high-risk areas and reduced collateral damage. The Nigerian Air Force executed a series of precise airstrikes, dismantling crucial hideouts and significantly undermining Turji’s operational capabilities.

Elite troops from Operation Hadarin Daji and the special forces unit of Operation Fansan Yamma have strategically positioned themselves.

Credible intelligence indicates that Turji was last sighted at Zangon Gebe, where he reportedly remains surrounded by his heavily armed fighters.

Ventilating the issue, security expert Frank Oshanugor lauded the troops for doing a good job of taking down the son of one of Nigeria’s most dreaded terrorists living.

He said, “With this recent development of having killed Bello Turji’s son by Nigeria’s military, it becomes evident that our troops have gone on serious offence against the terrorists.

“Obviously, the death of his son would leave some psychological depression on the side of Turji, and it may begin to dawn on him that the end is possibly in sight.

“I congratulate our troops and urge them to sustain the tempo towards crushing Turji and his band of dangerous terrorist elements in that part of Nigeria.”

Security intelligence pundit at the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, noted that the recent escalation of military offensives against Turji, alongside the dismantling of his hideouts and the confirmed death of his son, signifies a pivotal moment in the fight against banditry in Zamfara State and the Northwest region as a whole.

He said, “The coordinated operations under Operation Fansan Yanma, combined with intelligence-led strategies, have disrupted Turji’s operations and forced him into a defensive posture.

“The reports of his loyalists relocating injured fighters and Turji himself seeking refuge in Maradun LGA highlight the impact of the military’s intensified offensives. These developments indicate that his operations have been severely crippled, and he is struggling to regroup.

“The death of Turji’s son and the destruction of his Fakai base are not just symbolic losses but operational setbacks that will weaken his control over his network. Additionally, his reliance on a former rival, Jummo Smally, for refuge suggests desperation and reduced options.

“The surrender of Abu Radde and Umar Black in Katsina State signals a ripple effect of the sustained military pressure. Turji’s allies may begin to consider surrender as a viable alternative, further isolating him.

“Yes, these developments suggest that Turji’s grip is weakening, but his complete downfall depends on sustained pressure. Leaders like Turji are adept at exploiting terrain and tribal alliances to survive. However, his forced relocation and the loss of key supporters are signs that his end is approaching if the current momentum is maintained.

“The military must maintain consistent pressure on Turji and his associates to prevent regrouping. Surveillance and intelligence gathering should focus on his new hideout in Garsa/Kadanya.
“Local collaborators, like Jummo Smally, must be neutralised or deterred through targeted operations and community engagement. These alliances enable bandit leaders to survive and reorganise.

“Leadership decapitation remains key. Turji’s capture or elimination will deliver a decisive blow. Additionally, disrupting his supply chains, including logistics and medical support, will weaken his fighters’ capacity to operate.

“The surrender of other notorious bandit leaders should be amplified to encourage defections within Turji’s camp. Publicly promoting these surrenders can demoralise his followers and undermine his influence.

“Strengthening relationships with local communities in Maradun, Shinkafi, and surrounding LGAs is critical for gathering actionable intelligence. Providing assurances of safety to informants and offering humanitarian support can build trust.

“The military’s intensified efforts are yielding positive results, but this is not the time to relent. With sustained pressure, strategic targeting, and community collaboration, the end of Turji’s reign of terror is achievable. However, the military must remain vigilant to prevent him from exploiting any operational gaps.”

The National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, differed from the stakeholders.

According to him, the heightened state of counter-terrorism attacks by the military is commendable. He added that the attacks should be sustained.

HURIWA. In a Thursday statement, she said, “Working together in synergy by all the arms of the Armed Forces would naturally bring greater results. The quick-win strategy is for the military to upgrade their attacks and ensure that the kingpins of terrorists in the North West and North East are degraded, decimated, and destroyed so that stability and peace can return to that section of Nigeria.

“The military should also have a backup strategy to forestall any backlash in the South. The military should not let Boko Haram terrorists take them by surprise by storming southern Nigeria. As for whether the end to Bello Turji is imminent, Nigerians are anxiously waiting for a success story in that regard.

“HURIWA is urging the government to keep up with the tempo of logistical support for the military, so a quick end is reached in the counter-terror war. The war against terrorists has taken too much time and has cost us a lot of innocent lives. Several assets belonging to the government and individuals have been lost to the massive attacks by Boko Haram terrorists and other Islamic extremists.

“Besides, the Nigerian military should continue to track Bello Turji so as to bring him to justice or take justice to him. However, the military shouldn’t celebrate the killing of Bello Turji’s son unless the son was also part of his father’s terror network.

“By the way, did America go after the children of Osama Bin Laden, who masterminded the bombing of the World Trade Centre in the USA that killed over 3,000 Americans on September 11th, 2001? Bin Laden’s children are all over the world, with many doing legitimate business. So that someone’s father is a terrorist shouldn’t justify unlawful or extrajudicial execution, talk more of publicly celebrating such illegality.

“Unless there is empirical proof that the son of Bello Turji was also a terrorist—which is possible—and he may not be a terrorist because the majority of cattle-rearing Fulanis live deep inside the forests and bushes.”

In the same vein, security expert and scholar, Chukwuka Oji, queried how the military was able to identify the slain man as Turji’s son.

“Every time we hear the same story. How did the military know that the person they killed was Turji’s son? How many times have they told us that they have killed Turji, yet he is still giving security agencies hell?

“Let the military purge itself of saboteurs in the system. The military can’t win the war if there are still moles in the house. I don’t believe in the story the military is dishing out that they have dismantled his stronghold. Next time, the stronghold will still be dismantled.”