Shaudo Alku, a pivotal figure within the terrorist network led by Bello Turji, was killed on Sunday in a targeted airstrike by the Nigerian military in Sokoto State.
According to a military briefing, the air raid, executed by Operation Fagge Yama’s air unit, struck a terrorist camp near Tunfa Primary School in Isa LGA.
Alku was reportedly attending a secret strategy session involving top-level operatives of Turji’s group.
Military intelligence reports revealed that Alku had crossed into Nigeria from Niger Republic to attend the meeting.
He was known for coordinating cross-border arms movement and insurgent operations.
“This strike was based on solid intelligence and surveillance,” a military source said under anonymity.
“We tracked the location of the assembly and launched an air offensive that eliminated several high-profile targets.”
Officials confirmed Alku’s death alongside multiple terrorists believed to be senior figures in Turji’s ranks.
The Armed Forces described the mission as a decisive move to cripple the operational leadership of terrorist factions destabilizing the northwest.
“Alku wasn’t just involved in combat. He served as a logistics brain for the group,” the military source explained.
The Nigerian Army, via its official communication channels, emphasised that the operation highlights its determination to defeat insurgency and bring security to affected states like Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina.
Mop-up efforts are ongoing to apprehend survivors who fled the scene, the statement added.
Bello Turji has long been feared for his role in orchestrating mass kidnappings and deadly raids on communities.
His network’s extensive reach across borders has often hindered efforts to capture him.
A local security expert, Dr. Yusuf Anka, said the development will likely impact the group’s supply chain.
“This is a tactical win,” Anka said. “But we must remember that fighting terrorism involves long-term strategy and collaboration with neighbouring countries like Niger and Chad.”
Residents of Isa expressed cautious optimism. One local said, “We heard bombs dropping and helicopters flying overhead. It reminded us that we are not alone in this fight.”
This latest attack is part of an escalated air campaign under Operation Fagge Yama, designed to eradicate terrorist threats from Nigeria’s northwest.
Military officials say further information, including casualty details and intelligence finds, will be made public shortly.