Notorious bandits’ leader, Bello Turji frees all captives in his stronghold amid sustained military onslaught 

Notorious bandits’ leader, Bello Turji has reportedly set free all individuals held captive by his group following a sustained onslaught on his strongholds by troops of the Nigerian military.

 

Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism and insurgency expert, disclosed this on Tuesday.

 

This is coming amid heightened military operations aimed at capturing the fugitive and dismantling his network in Zamfara State and surrounding regions.

 

According to Makama, Turji’s decision to “free the captives is linked to the intense pressure mounted by the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Forest Sanity.”

 

Recent airstrikes and ground offensives targeting his hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi, and surrounding areas have significantly weakened his group, forcing them to beat a retreat.

 

Makama added, “The release of the captives is being seen as a strategic move by Turji to avoid further escalation or a direct confrontation with security forces who have been closing in on him.

 

“The troops have vowed to get him whether dead or alive.”