Aminu Kanawa, a well-known bandit, has been killed by the Nigerian army. Prior to his demise, Kanawa served as the deputy to the infamous bandit leader, Bello Turji.
The operation leading to Kanawa's death was conducted by soldiers from Operation Hadarin Daji between January 20 and 21, 2025.
Kanawa's death occurred less than a week after this same operation resulted in the elimination of a close associate of Bello Turji during a raid in Fakai.
According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, the spokesperson for Operation Hadarin Daji, in addition to Kanawa’s death, several associates of Turji sustained injuries. Among those reported injured were Dosso, Turji’s brother, and Danbokolo, another close ally of the bandit leader.
TRT Afrika Hausa reported that soldiers also eliminated several key commanders affiliated with Bello Turji's group, including Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba, and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe.
The operation resulted in the death of 24 additional terrorists within Turji’s camp, situated near Gebe and in areas spanning Isa and Gidan Rijiyah in the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Who is Bello Turji
Bello Turji is a prominent figure associated with banditry in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern region of the country. He was born in the Shinkafi local government area of Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria.
Turji was raised as a Fulani cattle herder and received little to no formal education. He has become widely recognized for leading groups engaged in violent crimes, including kidnappings and assaults on communities.
His operations primarily take place in northwestern Nigeria, especially within Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states. In 2022, a gang under Turji's leadership executed a series of massacres in Zamfara, leading to the deaths of nearly 200 innocent individuals, inclusive of women and children.
Turji has gained notoriety as one of the principal leaders of armed groups in the area, and his activities have attracted considerable attention from both media outlets and the Nigerian government.
The operations led by Turji have significantly contributed to the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, adversely impacting the lives of countless citizens in the affected regions. His group has frequently engaged in confrontations with security forces, and reports have consistently highlighted the significant challenges faced by authorities in effectively combating banditry and restoring peace in these areas.