‘He Runs Every Few Hours’: Military Says Bello Turji in Panic Mode Amidst Intensified Onslaught
GUSAU — The Nigerian military has declared that notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, is currently in a state of “confusion and panic,” forced to relocate his hideout every few hours to survive the intensified heat of ongoing security operations in the North West.
Major General Warrah Idris, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North West (Operation Fansan Yamma), revealed this development on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, while briefing Defence Correspondents on a tour of the theatre in Zamfara State.
The revelation dispels recent propaganda suggesting the bandit leader remains invincible, painting instead a picture of a fugitive on the run, unable to coordinate attacks effectively due to sustained military pressure.
“He Has No Permanent Base”
General Idris dismissed claims that Turji controls any territory or local government area, describing such narratives as “fear-mongering propaganda.”
“Based on the most current intelligence received, Bello Turji and his cohorts are currently in confusion and panic because of the intensity of our current operations,” Idris stated. “They are relocating every few hours, every few days. How does a person who does not have a permanent location control an axis or a local government?”
The Commander issued a direct challenge to the bandit leader: “I dare Bello Turji to come out and present a single local government that he is controlling.”
Technology Meets Firepower
The military attributes this success to a new strategy combining human intelligence, technology-driven surveillance, and coordinated ground offensives.
General Idris noted that troops have successfully dislodged terrorists from the Tidibali axis in Sokoto State, where Turji had recently issued threats, allowing displaced residents to return to their homes.
“We are tracking them through all available intelligence platforms. All things being equal, Bello Turji will soon be history in the North-West region,” Idris assured.
Legal Noose Tightens
In a related development on Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued bench warrants for the arrest of five associates linked to Turji.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the arrests after the suspects—accused of providing material support to the terrorist kingpin—failed to appear for their trial. The move signals a coordinated effort by the state to dismantle Turji’s network both on the battlefield and in the courts.
General Idris concluded by warning that the military would not relent until “total peace” returns to Zamfara and surrounding states, adding that troops are “looking for more work” after stabilizing several flashpoints.