Bello Turji’s Right-Hand Man, Dozens of Fighters Eliminated in Sokoto Airstrike

A high-ranking member of Bello Turji’s terrorist network, Shaudo Alku, has been confirmed dead following a precise airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force in Sokoto State, marking a major blow to one of the most feared bandit groups in northern Nigeria.

The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fagge Yama on Sunday, May 19, 2025, targeted a remote hideout near Tunfa Primary School in Isa Local Government Area, a known hotspot for terrorist gatherings. According to military intelligence, Alku had crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic to attend a high-level strategy meeting when the strike was executed.

Surveillance footage and ground intelligence revealed that the location was a staging ground for key operatives in Turji’s network. As fighter jets zeroed in, a barrage of strikes was unleashed, neutralizing Alku and several others believed to be top commanders.

Military sources described Alku as a key figure who managed logistics, weapons procurement, and cross-border operations for Turji’s faction. “He wasn’t just a trigger man,” one official said. “He coordinated operations between Nigeria and neighboring countries and was instrumental in sustaining the group’s firepower.”

Bello’s aid

The Nigerian Army described the hit as a “strategic breakthrough” in its ongoing campaign to dismantle insurgent networks in the North West. “This operation marks a significant step in disrupting the command structure of terrorist groups in the region,” the military stated.

Security analyst Dr. Yusuf Anka told reporters that the death of Alku could fracture Turji’s logistics chain and force the group to reorganize. “It’s a big win,” he said, “but the military must keep the pressure on. Turji’s network is deeply rooted and operates across porous borders.”

Residents in Isa LGA who witnessed the aerial assault expressed relief, some saying they had given up hope of any real intervention. “We heard loud explosions and saw helicopters circling. For the first time in a long while, we felt like the government remembered us,” a local said, choosing to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

Bello Turji, the elusive gang leader, has long been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list, accused of masterminding mass abductions, village raids, and armed ambushes across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states. His ability to move across national borders has made him especially difficult to capture.

Sunday’s airstrike is part of a renewed military offensive under Operation Fagge Yama, which aims to reclaim territories and dismantle insurgent cells through coordinated ground and aerial missions.

The Nigerian Armed Forces say further intelligence gathered from the strike site will aid future operations, and they remain committed to restoring peace and security to affected regions.

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