Nigerian Army troops don carry out one serious operation for Sokoto State wey dem kill plenty bandits inside Bello Turji him camp. The operation wey happen for March 20, 2026, na 8 Division Strike Force of Nigerian Army Sokoto lead am, as dem target Turji him hideout deep inside Kagara Forest.
According to one Army source wey no want make dem mention him name, the operation begin early morning as dem move enter Fakai community for Shinkafi and Isa Local Government Areas of Zamfara and Sokoto States. The source talk say as dem dey advance, two combat support vehicles spoil near Maberaya village for Isa local government area, make troops pause small.
Na for that moment wey heavily armed bandits from Turji camp come attack dem from ambush. The bandits use high ground and forest cover well well, but Army troops respond quick with better firepower. The source confirm say dem kill many bandits for the exchange, but three soldiers and one DSS personnel get injury. Dem don carry the injured people go 8 Division Military Hospital Sokoto for treatment.
Meanwhile, the same Army source come deny one story wey dey circulate say over 150 bandits drown for boat accident for Sabon Gida area of Sokoto. The source talk clear say “The news circulating that over 150 bandits drowned in a boat mishap in Sabon Gida area is a fake report.”
National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Area Manager for Sokoto, Mr Bello Bala, also support this denial. Bala talk say River Sabon Gida area no dey navigable now, so the story no fit true. Him talk say if river no dey navigable, how boat go dey carry 150 people?
For another side, counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama don post for him verified X account say at least 150 suspected terrorists drown for Sabon Gida area when their boat capsize Saturday evening. Makama talk say all the passengers na armed bandits wey dem throw inside river, and preliminary reports show say many of them no sabi swim.
But as at now, no official comment come from security services or government agencies about this boat accident story. The conflicting reports don cause confusion for public, as some media houses don publish the drowning story while Army and NIWA dey deny am.
Security analysts talk say this kind of situation dey common for conflict zones, where different sources dey give different information. Dem advise say people must wait for official confirmation from Nigerian Army or Sokoto State Government before dem believe any story.
The operation against Turji camp na part of continuous efforts by Nigerian security forces to tackle banditry activities for Northwest Nigeria. Bello Turji na one notorious bandit kingpin wey don cause plenty trouble for Zamfara and Sokoto States.
As security operations dey continue, authorities dey advise residents to always verify information before dem share am, to avoid spread of fake news wey fit cause unnecessary panic or confusion.
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