An unspecified number of bandits attending a naming ceremony at the residence of the Zamfara bandit leader, Bello Turji in Fakai, Shinkafi Local Government Area, were killed by a military airstrike.
Two sources from the area said many attendees were trapped in the attack, but the casualty figure was yet to be ascertained.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that the aerial interdiction conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) followed intelligence about the gathering of the bandits at the location.
A source who was at the ceremony told our reporter that the event was a naming ceremony for a baby born to Turji’s family.
Turji is notorious for his role in the banditry challenge in Zamfara and beyond.
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He maintains a large gang of gunmen, who, for years have been terrorising residents in Shinkafi and Zurmi local governments of Zamfara and Isa and Sabon Birni local governments of Sokoto State.
Late last year, the bandit leader told Daily Trust on Sunday in an exclusive interview that he was laying down his arms. The ceasefire deal between him and the local communities led to renewed peace in the area, with many hitherto sacked farming communities returning to their farms this farming season.
But a security source said Turji’s repentance was doubted by security agencies as he allegedly continued acquiring more weapons.
A public relations platform with a link to the military, PRNigeria, reported that the bandits were killed during a ‘surprise raid’ by the air troops of Operation Forest Sanity.
According to the platform, the attack was carried out by two NAF fighter jets upon receiving credible intelligence.
A public relations platform with a link to the military, PRNigeria, reported that the bandits were killed during a ‘surprise raid’ by the air troops of Operation Forest Sanity.
According to the platform, the attack was carried out by two NAF fighter jets upon receiving credible intelligence.
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