The United States, in joint operations with the Nigerian military, launched Christmas Day airstrikes that have reportedly delivered a serious setback to notorious bandit groups operating around the Sokoto–Zamfara axis of northwest Nigeria.
Security sources familiar with the operation said the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts located in forested areas linking Sokoto State, Zamfara State and parts of the Niger Republic, long identified as strongholds for armed bandit leaders responsible for mass kidnappings, killings and cattle rustling in the region.
According to information gathered by VibesLyfe on Monday, Bello Turji, one of the most feared bandit leaders in northwest Nigeria, is believed to have been killed in the operation. Turji has long been responsible for deadly assaults on rural communities and security personnel across Zamfara and surrounding states.
Although official casualty figures have not yet been released by Nigerian or U.S. authorities, preliminary intelligence. Confided by sources indicates that several high-value targets were eliminated in the strikes, marking one of the most impactful operations against bandit leadership in recent years.
The Christmas Day operation follows growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing, surveillance and precision air operations aimed at degrading terrorist and bandit networks.
Recent months have seen the growing use of advanced drones and long-range strike capabilities to reach remote strongholds beyond the reach of ground forces. On the night of the strikes, residents in parts of northwest Nigeria reported loud explosions, and unverified videos circulating online suggest that several wanted bandit leaders may have been killed.
Authorities have stressed caution, emphasizing that confirmations will only follow detailed post-strike assessments. Meanwhile, security officials say aerial surveillance remains active in northern Nigeria as the military steps up efforts to prevent armed factions from regrouping and to solidify the gains of the operation.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly vowed to dismantle bandit and terrorist networks operating across the northwest and northeast, amid persistent public pressure to end years of insecurity that have displaced thousands and disrupted farming and economic activities across the region.