The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Monday that troops from Operation Fansan Yamma successfully killed the son of terrorist leader Bello Turji and several of his fighters during a major clearance operation.
The operation, which took place on January 17, targeted key areas including Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa, and Chindo.
Naija News learnt that the troops also destroyed a logistics base used by the terrorists.
In a statement from the outgoing Director of Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, it was revealed that Turji’s son was killed in an attack on the Fakai high ground, where the terrorists had set up camp.
Turji himself was branded a coward for fleeing the area and abandoning both his son and his fighters during the battle.
The DHQ highlighted that Turji had long taunted the military, even challenging them in December 2024 to confront him at his hideout after his associate, Baka Wurgi, was captured by troops. The military vowed to neutralize him in 2025.
In addition to killing several terrorists, the operation also led to the rescue of numerous hostages who had been kidnapped by Turji’s group.
The statement partly read, “On January 17, 2025, a coordinated operation between troops of Operation Fansan Yamma as well as the air component conducted clearance operations along the Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa and Chindo axis. The operations killed scores of terrorists, including notorious terrorist leader Bello TURJI’s son, on Fakai high ground, where the terrorists were hiding.
“The intensity of troops’ firepower resulted in high terrorist casualties and their logistics hub destroyed. The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped hostages held captive by Bello Turji. The terrorist leader, Bello Turji, in a gross cowardly act, escaped, abandoning his son and combatants.”
In a separate operation, troops targeted another notorious terrorist group led by Idi Mallam in the Zango-Kagara Forest.
The operation resulted in the neutralization of three terrorists and the arrest of three suspected collaborators.
Furthermore, the troops seized significant weapons, including two machine guns, one AK47 rifle, and 61 stolen cattle along with 44 sheep.
The Defence Headquarters emphasized that troops remain committed to continuing their fight against terrorism and ensuring the safety of citizens across Nigeria.