…Bello Turji, others feared killed in the strike
The Christmas Day airstrikes carried out by the United States in partnership with the Nigerian military have reportedly dealt a significant blow to notorious bandit groups operating across the Sokoto–Zamfara axis of northwest Nigeria.
Security sources familiar with the operation said the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts located in forested areas linking Sokoto State, Zamfara State and parts of the Niger Republic, long identified as strongholds for armed bandit leaders responsible for mass kidnappings, killings and cattle rustling in the region.
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Information obtained by BusinessDay on Monday suggests that Bello Turji, one of the most feared bandit commanders in northwest Nigeria, is believed to be among those killed during the operation. Turji has been linked to numerous deadly attacks on rural communities and security personnel across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Although official casualty figures have not yet been released by Nigerian or U.S. authorities, preliminary intelligence. Confided by sources indicates that several high-value targets were eliminated in the strikes, marking one of the most impactful operations against bandit leadership in recent years.
The Christmas Day operation follows growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing, surveillance and precision air operations aimed at degrading terrorist and bandit networks.
Recent months have seen increased use of advanced unmanned aerial systems and long-range strike capabilities to target remote enclaves that are difficult to access by ground forces.
Residents in parts of northwest Nigeria reported loud explosions on the night of the strike, while unverified videos and claims circulating on social media have pointed to the possible deaths of multiple wanted bandit leaders. However, authorities have urged caution, stressing that confirmation will only come after post-strike assessments are concluded.
Security officials further confided that aerial surveillance has continued in parts of northern Nigeria following the strikes, as the military intensifies efforts to prevent the regrouping of armed factions and to consolidate gains made from the operation.
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The Nigerian government has repeatedly vowed to dismantle bandit and terrorist networks operating across the northwest and northeast, amid persistent public pressure to end years of insecurity that have displaced thousands and disrupted farming and economic activities across the region.
