By Our Investigative Desk In what security analysts are calling a significant blow to bandit-terrorist operations in Nigeria’s North-West,...
By Our Investigative Desk
In what security analysts are
calling a significant blow to bandit-terrorist operations in Nigeria’s
North-West, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a top terrorist
collaborator, Alhaji Shaudo Alku, during a precision airstrike in Isa Local
Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation, which was carried out
on Sunday, May 18, 2025, by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma,
targeted a high-level terrorist meeting convened near Tunfa Primary School,
military sources disclosed.
Alhaji Alku, a powerful figure with
deep links to arms trafficking and cross-border terrorist coordination, was
described as a “top-tier ally” and logistics adviser to Bello Turji, one of the
most feared bandit leaders operating across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger Republic
borders.
According to the army’s official
statement, the strike also eliminated multiple foot soldiers and several
unnamed field commanders, sending shockwaves through the ranks of Turji’s
faction.
Anonymous Insider: “Turji is in
Disarray, Running from Forest to Forest”
Daily Struggle has obtained
exclusive intelligence from sources embedded within the region who reveal that
Bello Turji has gone into hiding following the strike that decimated his inner
circle.
One credible source from the
security community, who spoke under anonymity due to the sensitive nature of
the operation, disclosed:
“Turji did not see this coming.
Shaudo Alku was more than an ally – he handled Turji’s international contacts
and financial channels. Since the strike, Turji has been fleeing from one
hideout to another in the Zamfara forests. He has lost communication with several
camps.”
Another field informant added that
Turji narrowly escaped the bombing and is now “desperately trying to regroup
scattered loyalists.” However, there are reports that some splinter groups
within his network are refusing to rejoin him, sensing vulnerability in his
leadership.
Experts Hail
Military Success, Caution Against Complacency
Security analyst and
counterterrorism expert, Dr. Amina Usman, commended the military for the
surgical precision of the operation:
“The death of Alhaji Alku is not
just a tactical victory—it’s a psychological one. These terror factions thrive
on perception of invincibility. Removing someone as high-profile as Alku shakes
that myth and gives local communities renewed hope.”
She, however, warned that such
victories must be followed up with ground coordination and intelligence
consolidation:
“We must ensure that the remaining
leadership is not allowed to reconvene. The window is narrow, and the army must
press harder while the enemy is off balance.”
Similarly, an anonymous retired army
general emphasised the importance of sustained operations:
“Turji will try to reassert control,
possibly through violent retribution or by forming new alliances. The military
and local authorities must collaborate more closely now to prevent any
resurgence.”
The Road Ahead:
A Fragile Win or Turning Point?
The recent development signals one
of the most promising moments in Nigeria’s war on terror since the coordinated
offensive against Ansaru and ISWAP elements in the Northeast. With Turji’s
network severely disrupted, the army is being urged to capitalise on the
momentum.
Local community leaders in Isa LGA
have reportedly expressed relief at the news and are calling on the federal
government to follow up with humanitarian assistance and restoration efforts in
the affected areas.
While many Nigerians hope that Bello
Turji’s days are now numbered, experts caution that the struggle is far from
over.
As one local elder put it: “The
strike gave us hope. But hope must be followed by protection. Otherwise, the
bandits will return – and next time, they will be more brutal.”
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