Katsina Times
Reports claiming that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji was killed in an alleged airstrike carried out by the United States military have been found to be false, Katsina Times investigation has revealed.
Checks by Zagazola Fact Check show that Bello Turji is alive and currently in hiding in Dubagale, an area north of Dan Adama village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, about 25 kilometres from the Niger Republic border.
Multiple security sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that no foreign airstrike targeted Turji, contrary to claims widely circulated on social media platforms.
“There was no operation, either by the United States or any foreign power, that killed Bello Turji. He is alive and has relocated to Dubagale, close to the Niger border,” one of the sources said.
Katsina Times findings indicate that the reports may have emerged from misinformation and recycled narratives linked to ongoing military operations against bandits in parts of North-West Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The investigation found that no official statement from the Nigerian Armed Forces or the United States military corroborated the claim of a U.S.-led airstrike in the area.
Security analysts said the rumour gained traction following intensified counter-banditry operations by Nigerian forces, leading to speculation and false conclusions on social media.
Who Is Bello Turji?
Bello Turji is one of the most wanted bandit leaders operating in the North-West. He is believed to command armed groups responsible for deadly attacks, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and displacement of rural communities, especially in Zamfara State and neighbouring areas.
Over the years, Turji has reportedly exploited porous borders and difficult terrain to evade arrest, often moving between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
Experts warned that the spread of unverified reports about the death of key criminal figures could mislead the public and undermine confidence in security operations.
They urged citizens to rely on credible media organisations and verified reports, particularly on security-related issues.
The Katsina Times investigation concludes that claims of Bello Turji’s death in a U.S. airstrike are baseless and untrue. The bandit leader remains alive and in hiding, according to multiple security sources.
