The Nigerian Military has killed the second-in-command of the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, during a targeted operation.
Aminu Kanawa, as confirmed by the Defence Headquarters, was killed alongside 31 other bandits by troops from Operation Fansan Yamma.
Additionally, several other members of Turji’s gang, including the younger brother of the notorious leader, sustained injuries during the operation.
This development comes just 72 hours after the military commenced an operation in the criminals’ hideout, resulting in the deaths of some of Turji’s fighters, including his son.
In their statement, the Nigerian military also scorned the bandit leader for abandoning his son.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, provided an update on military activities in the Northwest region on Wednesday, 22 January, revealing that seven other key commanders of Turji had also been eliminated.
Buba noted that among those injured were some of Turji’s close associates, including Dosso (Bello Turji’s younger brother) and Danbokolo (one of Turji’s closest allies).
He stated, “Additionally, troops neutralised several of Bello Turji’s key commanders, namely: Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba, and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe, among others. Furthermore, over 24 fleeing terrorists from Bello Turji’s camp were neutralised around Gebe and Isa LGA of Sokoto State, as well as around Gidan Rijiya in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.”
“During the assault on Bello Turji’s enclave around Fakai high ground, troops also eliminated another notable terrorist identified as Suleiman, a loyalist of the late notorious terrorist leader, Halilu Sububu. Suleiman was leading a reinforcement team to rescue Bello Turji’s camp, which was in chaos, when he was killed in the firefight,” said Buba.
He emphasised that the deaths of Turji’s second-in-command and his close allies mark a significant step toward the military’s commitment to eradicating banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Moreover, he assured that the military would continue to protect the lives and property of citizens, aiming to make kidnapping and killings in the region a distant memory.
