Dreaded bandit Bello Turji releases captives amid military onslaught

DDM News

In a surprising development, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly released all captives held by his group.

Diaspora digital media DDM gathered that the news was disclosed on Tuesday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism and insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad Basin.

This action follows intensified operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces aimed at capturing the fugitive bandit and dismantling his network in Zamfara State and surrounding areas.

Makama linked the release of the captives to the relentless military pressure under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Forest Sanity.

Recent airstrikes and ground offensives targeting Turji’s hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi, and nearby locations have severely weakened his group, forcing them into retreat.

Makama explained that freeing the captives appears to be a strategic move by the bandit to avoid further military escalation or direct confrontation.

“The troops are determined to capture Bello Turji, dead or alive,” he added.

Military operations in the region have intensified in recent weeks, with security forces closing in on key bandit camps.

The decision to release captives is being interpreted as a sign of desperation on the part of Turji and his group, as they face increasing losses from the sustained assaults by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Despite this development, authorities have vowed not to relent in their efforts to neutralize Turji’s bandit network completely.

The ongoing military campaign aims to restore peace and security to Zamfara State and its environs, which have long been plagued by the activities of bandit groups.

While the release of captives is seen as a positive step, it has not deterred the military from maintaining its focus on dismantling Turji’s network entirely.

With troops sustaining their momentum, security experts believe the bandit leader’s capacity to launch further attacks has been significantly degraded.

The Nigerian Armed Forces remain committed to their mission of eradicating banditry in the region.

Bello Turji and his group have caused immense suffering in the past, but the intensified military onslaught has shifted the balance, putting the bandits on the defensive.

The release of captives underscores the effectiveness of the military’s strategy, but the mission will only be complete when Bello Turji and his network are fully neutralized.

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