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MILITARY KILLS BANDIT LEADER BELLO TURJI’S SECOND-IN-COMMAND YOUNGER BROTHER, FATALLY WOUNDED
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of Aminu Kanawa, the second-in-command to terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji along with several key commanders and close allies.
This was stated in a press statement released by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations.
The army said the terrorist commanders were killed in recent operations carried out between Monday and Tuesday in the Northwestern region.
“Troops successfully neutralized Aminu Kanawa, the second-in-command to Bello Turji, and inflicted terminal injuries on Dosso (Bello Turji’s younger brother) and Danbokolo, one of Turji’s closest allies. Additionally, several commanders, including Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba, and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe, were neutralized,” the statement read.
The statement added that the operation also resulted in the elimination of over 24 fleeing terrorists from Turji’s camp in the Gebe and Isa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Sokoto State, as well as the Gidan Rijiya area in Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State.
In a separate encounter around the Fakai high ground, troops neutralized Suleiman, a loyalist of the late terrorist leader Halilu Sububu. Suleiman, who was leading a reinforcement team to rescue Turji’s camp, was killed during a firefight.
Major General Buba described the neutralization of Turji’s second-in-command, his close allies, and several key commanders as a significant setback to the terrorist network.
He noted that the group had been responsible for numerous kidnappings and attacks across the Northwest, particularly in Zurmi, Shinkafi, Isa, and Sabon Birni LGAs of Zamfara and Sokoto states.
“Troops remain resolute in their mission to completely dismantle these terrorist groups and create an atmosphere of safety and security for all citizens,” the army statement added.
Aminu Kanawa’s death came 10 days after his principal led an attack to invade Birnin Yaro village, Zamfara State.
An unspecified number of locals in Birnin Yaro village, Zamfara State were kidnapped by notorious bandit Bello Turji during a brazen attack on a mosque.
The assault occurred on Friday night during Isha prayers, with Turji and his armed men storming the mosque, disrupting the congregation, and abducting worshippers.
According to a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, “Turji and his armed men stormed the mosque, disrupting the congregation and abducting an unspecified number of worshippers”.
The victims were reportedly herded into the forest, but the exact number of those kidnapped could not be ascertained.
Zagazola further disclosed, “Turji may be planning to use the people as a shield against an attack on his enclave by the Nigerian troops of Operation FANSAN YANMMA.”
Ground and air forces under Operation Fansan Yanma had in their coordinated offensive military strikes against Turji in Zamfara State had reportedly sent the bandit leader fleeing after the military forces dismantled his key hideouts in Fakai, which was said to be his stronghold in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.
The operation followed a series of military strikes in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, where multiple bandit camps were destroyed.
