Nigeria’s most wanted bandit kingpin, Bello Turji is reportedly running from pillar to post to avert his capture by Nigerian security forces.
Troops of Operation Fasan Yama last week destroyed his hideouts in Zamfara State, killed his son, and burnt down his food storage.
In a post on X handle on Monday, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, said that Turji has activated a network of prayer warriors to intercede on his behalf.
He wrote: “Sources revealed that Turji’s reign of terror has long been supported by spiritual leaders who offer prayers and guidance before his gang embarks on any mission. These clerics believed to hail from Niger Republic and Maiduguri, allegedly provide spiritual backing and determine the timing and nature of his criminal operations.
“It has been a routine for Turji to consult these prayer warriors before carrying out attacks. They give directives on which missions are auspicious and advise on strategies for evading military offensives.
“As the military intensifies its efforts to apprehend Turji, it is believed that he has turned to this network of clerics for spiritual protection against the ongoing offensive in Zamfara, Sokoto, and surrounding states.”
In a follow-up post, Makama said Turji has also been calling on other bandit leaders and commanders to send him reinforcements, but most of them have so far failed to respond.
“Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji reportedly made desperate attempts to rally support from seven allied commanders within his network but faced outright rejection.
“Intelligence sources revealed that Turji, under sustained pressure from the ongoing military day and night offensives in the Northwest, contacted the commanders to join forces with him in his fight against troops.
“However, the commanders declined, leaving Turji isolated in his struggle, while they also fear that the operation may consume them,” Makama added.
