Nigerian Army troops have reportedly neutralised several armed bandits in the hideout of notorious criminal leader Bello Turji.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bandits’ camps are located in Fakai community in Shinkafi and Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto.

A source within the army, who requested anonymity, told NAN on Monday that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb banditry in the region and involved a fierce gun battle.

The operation, carried out by the 8 Division Strike Force of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto, began in the early hours of March 20 and targeted Turji’s camp deep inside Kagara Forest.

The source revealed that during the advance, two combat support vehicles experienced mechanical problems near Maberaya village in Isa LGA, Sokoto, temporarily slowing the troops’ movement. It was at this moment that heavily armed bandits launched an ambush, using elevated terrain and forested areas for cover.

“However, the troops quickly responded with superior firepower, engaging the bandits and neutralising several of them,” the source said. Three soldiers and one personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) were injured during the clash and were evacuated to the 8 Division Military Hospital in Sokoto for treatment.

The source also dismissed reports claiming that 150 bandits died in a boat accident in Sabon Gida, describing them as false.

Confirming the claim, Mr. Bello Bala, Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Sokoto, stated that the River Sabon Gida area is currently not navigable, further debunking the circulated story.