NAF airstrikes hit Bello Turji’s camp in Sokoto, exterminate scores of fighters including 3 bandit kingpins

By: Zagazola Makama

Airstrikes conducted by the Air component of Operation Hadarin Daji of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on April 27, 2024, at Bello Turji’s camp in KAGARA forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto, has resulted in the killing of . scores of fighters including three top bandit kingpins.

It was gathered that the Air strikes were conducted a few hours after the terrorists carried out a reprisal attack on a unit of Civilian Joint Task force at Forward Operating Base ISA, in response to the killing of 7 bandits and recovery of 7 AK47 rifles, 4 x motorcycles and other items. Eight Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price during a gunbattle with the bandits.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region that acting on intelligence on withdrawal of the attackers towards the axis of Shinkafi, the Air component immediately dispatched aircraft to track down the terrorists.

Sources said that the terrorists were trailed to Kagara Forest under a Mango tree between Shinkafi and Isa. Consequently, NAF aircraft attacked the camp in multiple waves, leading to the instant obliteration of scores of the terrorists.

The fleeing bandits were intercepted and mopped up by the ground troops in an ambush at Makwaruwa village in Sabon Birni of ISA lGA.

Battle damage assessment indicated that some top bandits like KACHALLAH UBAN DABA, DAN JANGERU and DOGO NA HANTS, while 13 bandits sustained various degrees of injuries. Bello Turji reportedly escaped the attack.

Zagazola understands that the wounded bandits were sneaked into Kagara under ISA and receiving treatment in a Primary school.

The sources said that shortly after the killing Bello Turji’s fighters, the surviving angry fighters stormed Rijiya Malladan and Harin Shalla in ISA where they set the village in flames and destroyed food items. They were, however, pushed back by the Joint troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in collaboration with government backed militia, otherwise known as Yan sa Kai.

The preceding week has no doubt been eventful, especially for Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in Northwest Nigeria. Alongside the Land Component and other security agencies, aircraft under these operational theatres have ensured that terrorist, insurgents and other criminal elements operating in the regions do not constitute significant security threats to innocent citizens within the regions.

NAF airstrikes hit Bello Turji’s camp in Sokoto, exterminate scores of fighters including 3 bandit kingpins

Nigeria: Troops stormed terrorist den, rescuing 44 in Borno

By: Our Reporter

The troops of Operation Lake Sanity IIII, a subsidiary of Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued 44 women, children, and the elderly after a major incursion into the insurgents’ dens in Timbuktu Triangle in Damboa LGA in Borno State.

It was gathered that the victims were rescued after some ISWAP fighters were subdued by the troops of Sector 2 Special Forces troops in collaboration with HYBRID and the Civilian Joint Task Force on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

NEWSng learned that the rescued victims include 28 children, 14 women, and 2 men. However, no military casualties were recorded on the side of troops during the operation.

The sources said that the troops’ resilience and doggedness are unwavering as further exploitation to complete annihilation of the insurgents is being sustained in the mountainous environment.

Nigeria: Troops stormed terrorist den, rescuing 44 in Borno

First Nigerian Female Officer Cadet Graduate from UK’s Royal Military Academy

By: Michael Mike

Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu has became the first-ever Nigerian female officer to graduate from the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

The 24-year-old Princess was one of the 135 Officer Cadets to graduate during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade on Friday in London.

According to a statement on Friday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission in Abuja, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, the parade marked the completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232.

She noted that at the ceremony, His Majesty King Charles was represented by the head of the French Army, Général d’armée Pierre SchilI, Chief of the Army Staff.

Akande-Alegbe said since the 1950s, several Nigerian officers including former Nigerian President Yakubu Gowan and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye have become RMAS alumni. stating that Princess’ graduation as the first female and 190th Nigerian graduate, marks a significant milestone in UK’s long-standing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Professional Military Education training, insisting that this commitment to close UK-Nigerian cooperation was affirmed during the recent UK- Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks held in February 2024.

The statement read that: “In 2018, Princess joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna State, Nigeria. During her second year at the NDA, she was appointed a Cadet Lance Corporal; a Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year and in her fifth year she was appointed to the role of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO C). She held this appointment with two other female counterparts and made history as the first females to assume the position of CSUO in the academy. In her fourth year, she completed the Academics Wing of the commissioning course and achieved first class honours in Biological Sciences.

Speaking of her achievement, Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu said:
“It is a profound honour to be the first Nigerian female officer to commission from the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. This achievement is not mine alone, but a testament to the unwavering support of my family, mentors, instructors, and countless individuals who believed in me every step of the way. As I look ahead to the future, I am committed to representing Nigeria with pride, and to making a positive difference in the world.”

The statement added that; “The UK is proud to celebrate this historic occasion with Nigeria and congratulates newly Commissioned Officer Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu on her remarkable achievement.”

First Nigerian Female Officer Cadet Graduate from UK’s Royal Military Academy