Troops Kill Scores of Bandits in Zamfara Offensive

On March 20, 2026, Nigerian troops from the 8 Division conducted a military offensive in Zamfara State targeting the camp of bandit kingpin Bello Turji. The operation, part of a sustained military effort to dismantle entrenched criminal networks in the northwest, began early in the morning around 6:00 AM.

Troops aimed to neutralize suspected hideouts in the Kagara Forest, a known bandit enclave. However, the operation encountered unexpected setbacks when two combat support vehicles developed mechanical faults near Maberaya Village in Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State, allowing bandits to launch an ambush.

Despite this, soldiers responded with superior firepower, leading to a prolonged exchange that resulted in the neutralization of several bandits. Three soldiers sustained injuries and were evacuated to a military hospital.

The operation is part of a broader coordinated campaign to degrade bandit capabilities and restore normalcy in affected communities across the northwest.