Following the intensified pressure by the military to either capture wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji dead or alive, he has reportedly released all individuals held captive by his group.
Checks revealed that Intelligence sources that Turji’s decision to free the captives was linked to the intense pressure mounted by the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Forest Sanity.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makam that the release of the captives was a strategic move by Turji to avoid further escalation or a direct confrontation with security forces who have been closing in on him.
There had been heightened military operations lately aimed at capturing the fugitive and dismantling his network in Zamfara State and surrounding regions.
TheHintsNews reports that the military had been on the trail of Turji for the past few weeks, a development that has made the bandit leader restless and moving from one enclave to the other.
It would be recalled that the military on Sunday killed Turji’s son during gunfire with his fighters.
Recent airstrikes and ground offensives targeting his hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi, and surrounding areas have significantly weakened his group, forcing them into retreat.
