Bello Turji, a notorious bandit kingpin, seized Nigerian Army vehicles and ammunition in a recent raid, marking a major setback for military operations.
Online videos depict Bello Turji, the leader of a gang of bandits, and his associates rejoicing over their success in capturing an Armoured Personnel Carrier belonging to the Nigerian Army.
During the capture of the carrier, Turji and his group seized a substantial amount of ammunition from the Nigerian Army.
ZagaZola Makama, an expert in counterinsurgency and security in the Lake Chad region has verified this information.
According to Makama, the troops received a distress report that revealed an important gathering of bandits at a designated whereabouts situated in Bello Turji camp.
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In response, a young officer led a team of troops who were swiftly dispatched to the area. However, their progress was impeded as their vehicle became stuck in the marshy terrain.
Makama revealed that the bandits’ intense firing caused the troops to engage in a prolonged heavy exchange of gunfire.
The heavy rain caused air support to be delayed, resulting in the bandits being able to strengthen their position.
Trying to use one MRAP to pull out the other, the troops encountered difficulties as both vehicles became bogged down in mud.
Before another team of troops arrived at the scene to reinforce, those holding the ground found themselves overwhelmed since they were unable to extract their two MRAPS.
The vehicles were left behind as the troops withdrew, and there were no reported fatalities in the incident.
Turji and his associates arrived on the scene hours later, firing into the sky and shouting triumphantly that they had ousted the soldiers and seized their automobiles.
Confirmation of the development is still pending from the Nigerian Army.
