Troops intercept arms cache in Zamfara, intensify hunt for notorious terrorist Bello Turji

Troops of the 1 Brigade of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fasan Yamma, in collaboration with operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), uncovered a large cache of deadly weapons in Zamfara State.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Coordinator, Joint Media Centre, Operation Fasan Yamma, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, revealed that the operation, conducted on January 27, 2025, was based on actionable intelligence.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops launched a covert operation to track the suspects. The pursuit unfolded along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi road, where the suspects attempted to evade capture by veering their vehicle into the bush. However, the troops’ tactical response forced them to abandon their vehicle and flee,” the statement read.

The operation, which took place in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area on January 27, 2025, was the result of actionable intelligence on suspected arms dealers with links to the Niger Republic. The discovery comes at a critical time when the region remains a hotbed for banditry and terrorism.

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Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops launched a covert operation to track the suspects along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi road. As the pursuit heated up, the suspects, sensing they were cornered, attempted a desperate escape by steering their vehicle off the main road and into the bush.

But the tactical expertise of the soldiers proved too formidable. The suspects abandoned their vehicle in a bid to flee on foot, leaving behind their deadly cargo.

What the troops found inside the vehicle was chilling:

• Two PKT machine guns
• Nine AK-47 rifles
• Thirteen loaded magazines
• 171 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
• Nine rounds of PKT ammunition

This discovery underscores the scale of the arms trafficking problem in the region, fueling violence that has terrorized communities.

While this operation marks a significant success, security forces are doubling down on efforts to capture notorious terrorist Bello Turji, whose name has become synonymous with terror in Zamfara and neighboring states.

Known for his brutal tactics, Turji has evaded capture by frequently relocating his hideouts, making him a moving target for security forces. However, troops have reiterated their determination to bring him to justice, emphasizing that the fight against terrorism is far from over.

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