In a major victory for security forces and beleaguered residents, the Nigerian Army’s 8th Division and Sector 2 Joint Task Force of Operation Fansa Yanma executed a decisive ambush near Kurawa Village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State, on December 9 and 10, 2025. The operation, based on precise and credible intelligence, resulted in the neutralization of 11 bandits, including two notorious kingpins, and the recovery of a significant cache of arms—marking a turning point in the region’s ongoing battle against banditry and terrorism.
According to statements released by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, the strike team acted swiftly to disrupt a planned attack on Tara Village, a critical area for cross-movement by terrorist and bandit groups. The ambush unfolded in the early hours near Kurawa village, where troops engaged the assailants in a fierce firefight. The operation not only thwarted a looming assault on local traders, but also delivered a substantial blow to the entrenched criminal networks that have plagued the Sabon Birni Corridor for years.
The army confirmed the recovery of eight AK-47 rifles, five extra magazines, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from the scene. While 11 bandits were killed in the operation, several others managed to escape with gunshot wounds, raising concerns about potential retaliatory attacks. Still, the proactive response and coordination between military personnel and local vigilantes have been widely celebrated by both officials and residents.
Among those neutralized in the offensive were Kachalla Buzu and Kachalla Kallamu, top lieutenants of the notorious terrorism kingpin Bello Turji. According to PREMIUM TIMES, Buzu had long served as Turji’s emissary in the area, terrorizing rice farmers and collecting levies on behalf of his boss. Kallamu, described by military sources quoted in The Nation as a senior lieutenant and logistics coordinator for Turji, had returned to the region after fleeing a military onslaught in June 2025. His return, however, was short-lived.
Residents of Sabon Birni, who for years have lived under the shadow of banditry, greeted the news of the deaths of Buzu, Kallamu, and several of their loyal fighters with a palpable sense of relief and celebration. Basharu Altine, a local leader and head of the Sokoto movement for social justice and good governance, told PREMIUM TIMES, “The deceased terrorized residents in the eastern flank of Sabon Birni and communities around the Nigeria/Niger Republic border over the last three years.” He added that the timely intelligence and collaboration between local vigilantes and soldiers were instrumental in averting a potentially devastating attack on Fadamun Tara and Kurawa villages.
But the operation’s impact extended beyond the immediate tactical gains. The death of Kachalla Buzu reportedly devastated Bello Turji, who, according to local reports, was deeply touched by the loss and has threatened revenge. Turji, whose group has orchestrated numerous kidnappings and terror attacks across the Sabon Birni axis, is now said to be blaming another lieutenant for the security lapses that led to Buzu’s demise. The threat of reprisal lingers, with Altine warning both residents and security operatives to remain vigilant in the face of possible retaliation.
The government’s response has been swift and unequivocal. Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s aide on security, retired Colonel Ahmad Usman, praised the gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for what he called “yet another significant success in the ongoing fight against banditry across the state.” Usman stated, “The State Government deeply appreciates this effort and acknowledges the consistent sacrifices being made by our security forces. We encourage them to sustain the momentum and intensify operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements not only from Sokoto State but also from the entire North-West subregion.” He also urged communities to remain courageous and proactive, emphasizing the critical role of timely intelligence and cooperation with security agencies.
Military sources, speaking anonymously to The Nation, highlighted the importance of strong intelligence support from residents and the involvement of local vigilantes in the success of the operation. The offensive, they said, was not only a demonstration of tactical prowess but also of the growing trust and partnership between the army and local communities—an alliance that has proven essential in the challenging terrain and complex security environment of Sokoto’s eastern corridor.
Sabon Birni Local Government Area has long been recognized as a flashpoint in Nigeria’s spiraling security crisis. The region, which borders Niger Republic, has seen repeated waves of violence, abductions, and extortion by armed groups. The Sabon Birni Corridor, in particular, has been a critical cross-movement point for terrorists and bandits, making it a focal area for military operations. The latest ambush, by disrupting a planned attack and eliminating key figures in the criminal hierarchy, marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security to the region.
The operation near Kurawa village forms part of a broader campaign by the Nigerian Army to combat banditry and terrorism in the North-west region. Previous missions, including one in January that resulted in the death of Turji’s second-in-command, Aminu Kanawa, have gradually chipped away at the leadership and operational capacity of the region’s most dangerous groups. Yet, as security officials and community leaders alike acknowledge, the fight is far from over.
While the success of the latest operation has been widely lauded, both the military and the Sokoto State Government are urging continued vigilance. The possibility of revenge attacks by Turji’s group remains real, and officials have called on residents to report suspicious activity and support ongoing security efforts. The Nigerian Army, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens in Sokoto State and the wider North-West.
For now, the mood in Sabon Birni is one of cautious optimism. The deaths of Buzu, Kallamu, and several other fighters have dealt a significant blow to the bandit and terrorist networks that have haunted the region. But as recent history has shown, the path to lasting peace requires not only military victories but also sustained cooperation, vigilance, and resilience from both security forces and the communities they serve.
With the latest offensive, the people of Sokoto State have been given a reprieve—and perhaps, a renewed hope that the tide may finally be turning against those who have held them hostage for far too long.
