Troops foil arms supply to terrorists in Zamfara, launch manhunt for Bello Turji

Troops of the 1 Brigade of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have intercepted a cache of arms in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Zamfara State.

The operation, conducted on January 27, 2025, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected arms dealers allegedly operating from the Niger Republic.

Lt. Col. Abdullahi Abubakar, the Operation’s Spokesman, confirmed the successful mission in a statement. He noted that the interception marks a significant step in curbing the proliferation of illegal arms in the region.

“The troops launched a covert operation to track the suspects, leading to a pursuit along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi road. The suspects attempted to escape by diverting their vehicle into the bush but were forced to abandon it after being engaged by the troops,” Abubakar stated.

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A search of the vehicle uncovered a significant cache of weapons, including: 2 PKT machine guns, 9 AK-47 rifles, 13 magazines, 171 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 9 rounds of PKT ammunition.

The military further revealed that efforts have intensified to capture the fugitive terrorist Bello Turji, who remains at large, frequently relocating between hideouts to evade capture.

Lt. Col. Abubakar assured the public that the troops are fully committed to apprehending the notorious terrorist and safeguarding communities in the region.

“We deeply appreciate the public’s concern regarding this matter and urge locals to continue their support by reporting any information that may assist our efforts,” he added.

The military reiterated its commitment to maintaining security and urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative.