A strategic airstrike by the Nigerian military has eliminated Shaudo Alku, a top associate of the notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, in a major blow to the insurgent network operating in the North West.
The Nigerian Armed Forces confirmed on Monday that Alku was killed alongside several fighters and suspected high-ranking commanders in a precision strike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fagge Yama near Tunfa Primary School in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Military intelligence revealed that Alku had recently crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic to attend a high-level meeting organized by Turji’s network. The gathering was targeted following credible surveillance and actionable intelligence, according to a senior military official who requested anonymity.
“Alku was not just a fighter. He was a key player in arms procurement and coordinated cross-border logistics for Turji’s faction,” the source said. “His death is a significant blow to the operational strength of the terrorist group.”
The Nigerian Army, in an official statement, hailed the operation as a testament to its renewed commitment to eradicating terrorism and restoring peace to troubled parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
The military added that mop-up operations were ongoing in the area, with troops intensifying efforts to capture fleeing insurgents.
Bello Turji, long regarded as one of the most dangerous and elusive terror leaders in Nigeria, has overseen a wave of violence involving mass kidnappings, deadly raids, and destruction of villages across the North West. His network spans across national borders, complicating security responses.
Security analysts say Alku’s elimination could significantly disrupt Turji’s supply chain and command structure, but caution that the threat remains.
“This is a tactical success, but not the end,” said Dr. Yusuf Anka, a conflict and security expert based in Sokoto. “To fully dismantle networks like Turji’s, there must be sustained pressure and regional cooperation with countries like Niger and Chad.”
Residents of Isa Local Government expressed relief following the strike, which they say offered a rare sense of hope amid persistent insecurity.
“We heard the air raid and saw helicopters in action. It reassured us that the government is serious about tackling this menace,” one resident told reporters, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.
The airstrike is part of a series of intensified aerial offensives under Operation Fagge Yama, a renewed military campaign targeting terrorist hideouts in Nigeria’s volatile North West.
The Armed Forces have pledged to release further updates, including casualty figures and intelligence gains from the operation, in the coming days.
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