A major breakthrough in the fight against banditry has been recorded in Sokoto State as troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division successfully eliminated Kachalla Kallamu, a feared field commander long associated with terror leader Bello Turji.
The operation, conducted before dawn on Monday, was confirmed on Tuesday by a military source familiar with the mission.
Rather than a routine patrol or accidental encounter, the offensive was the result of a carefully coordinated sweep around Kurawa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area. Intelligence gathered over several days reportedly pointed to Kallamu’s renewed presence in the area, prompting troops, supported by vigilante groups, to move in with precision.
The strike did not only take out Kallamu; one of Turji’s principal logistics operatives was also neutralised. Security analysts say the removal of both men in a single operation amounts to a severe disruption of Turji’s supply chain, which has sustained bandit cells operating across eastern Sokoto.
Kallamu, originally from the Garin-Idi community, had built a reputation as one of Turji’s most brutal lieutenants. For years, residents of Sabon Birni lived under constant threat from his raids, which triggered waves of displacement and deepened insecurity.
Although he had fled the region in June 2025 reportedly escaping to Kogi State after intense military pressure intelligence indicated he quietly returned in recent weeks, rekindling fears among already traumatised communities.
A senior military officer, who requested anonymity, described the successful operation as “a decisive turning point,” crediting local residents for providing critical intelligence that guided the troops. According to him, the partnership between the military and civilians was central to the mission’s success and remains essential for future gains.
Since confirmation of the incident, residents of Sabon Birni have expressed relief, with many viewing the development as long-overdue justice for victims of bandit attacks. Retired Colonel Ahmad Usman, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, was said to have joined citizens in commending the troops for what he called a morale-boosting victory for the state.
With Kallamu now out of the picture, attention is expected to shift to other high-ranking figures within Turji’s network as the military intensifies operations to dismantle remaining terror structures across the Northwest.
