Three soldiers injured as troops repel Turji ambush in Zamfara; army bases sent reinforcements to secure forest.
Gusau — Three soldiers were wounded on Thursday after Nigerian Army troops fought off a heavy ambush by bandits loyal to notorious kingpin Bello Turji in Zamfara State.
The clash happened during a clearance operation targeting Turji's hideout in the Kagara Forest, Shinkafi Local Government Area.
Security sources said the mission, led by the 8 Division Strike Force, began at about 6:00 a.m. on March 20.
How the ambush unfolded
The advance stalled near Maberaya village in neighbouring Sokoto State after two combat support vehicles broke down.
Taking advantage of the pause, heavily armed bandits opened fire from elevated terrain and dense forest cover.
Troops responded immediately.
"They responded with superior firepower, overpowering the attackers and killing several of them in the ensuing exchange," a source told TheStar.
Three soldiers, one DSS operative hurt
During the gun battle, three soldiers and one operative of the Department of State Services sustained injuries.
They were quickly evacuated to the 8 Division Military Hospital for treatment.
No deaths were recorded among the troops, according to the report.
Reinforcements from military bases
To secure the area, reinforcements were deployed from Forward Operating Bases in Isa and Shinkafi.
The backup teams joined the main force to hold the ground and continue the offensive.
The operation is part of sustained efforts by Operation Fansan Yamma to push back bandit groups terrorising communities in Zamfara and the wider North West.
Residents in Shinkafi say military presence has increased in recent weeks, with more patrols around forests linked to Turji's gang.
The Army has not yet released the exact number of bandits killed, but sources insist several fighters were neutralised during the fierce exchange.
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