Nigerian Army Eliminates Terrorist Commander Alhaji Shaudo Alku in Airstrike, Ramps Up Anti-Terror Operations

In a decisive blow to terrorism in the North-West region of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the elimination of Alhaji Shaudo Alku, a top ally of notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji, in a targeted airstrike. The operation, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fasin Yama on Sunday, May 18, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the military’s continued efforts to dismantle terror networks threatening national security.

According to the Army’s official statement, the strike took place near Tunfa Primary School in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, an area long plagued by violent insurgency. Intelligence reports had indicated the presence of high-profile terrorist figures, and the Nigerian military acted swiftly to capitalize on the opportunity.

“In a significant blow to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, his key ally Alhaji Shaudo Alku has been confirmed killed in an airstrike,” the statement read.

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Alku, reportedly invited from Niger Republic for a meeting with Turji’s group, was among several insurgents and unconfirmed terrorist commanders who perished in the assault. His death is considered a major success in weakening the operational structure of Turji’s faction, which has been linked to numerous abductions, killings, and attacks across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Niger States.

The Nigerian military’s statement emphasized the strategic importance of this operation, noting that the death of Alku sends a strong message to insurgent leaders and their foreign collaborators. The operation is part of a broader military campaign—Operation Fasin Yama—which focuses on identifying and neutralizing terrorist camps and restoring law and order in the affected communities.

While full casualty figures are yet to be released, preliminary intelligence confirms that the strike dealt a significant blow to the morale and command structure of Turji’s network. The Nigerian Army has promised to provide additional updates as the situation develops.

This victory underscores the increasing effectiveness of aerial surveillance and coordinated ground-air military intelligence—a shift from older methods that often resulted in protracted firefights with limited results.

Federal Government Pushes to Exit FATF Grey List

In a parallel effort to improve Nigeria’s global standing, the Federal Government is racing to ensure the country is removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List by the end of May 2025. This development comes as Nigeria seeks to restore international investor confidence and project greater financial transparency.

Speaking during a high-level meeting in Abuja with the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, David Hanson, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, highlighted the country’s commitment to financial reform. He disclosed that he, along with Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is co-chairing a task committee dedicated to meeting the FATF’s conditions for exit.

“We are working tirelessly in coordination with the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to ensure that Nigeria is removed from the grey list and placed back on the white list, where it belongs,” Tunji-Ojo said.

Nigeria was moved from the FATF Black List to the Grey List in February 2023, after it made initial progress in aligning with international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) standards. However, the country has remained under scrutiny for regulatory lapses, delays in prosecution of financial crimes, and inadequate monitoring of non-state financial activities—particularly in terrorism-prone regions.

The timing of the airstrike on Alhaji Shaudo Alku and the renewed push to exit the FATF Grey List is no coincidence. Analysts suggest that both initiatives are part of a broader national strategy to show that Nigeria is serious about both internal security and international compliance.

“The world is watching. Combating terrorism is not just about boots on the ground—it’s also about tracing and cutting off their funding. And that requires transparency,” noted security analyst Ibrahim Musa.

Indeed, Nigeria’s success in dismantling terror networks depends heavily on its ability to track illicit financing, laundered money, and cross-border arms deals—all of which fall under FATF’s jurisdiction.

As Nigeria fights to reclaim its sovereignty from terrorist groups and restore global trust in its financial systems, these dual efforts serve as a beacon of progress. The death of Alhaji Shaudo Alku offers a morale boost for the military and the citizens in the North-West, many of whom have suffered from years of insurgency. Simultaneously, the government’s commitment to financial reforms signals its readiness to re-engage meaningfully with the global economy.

The days ahead will be crucial—not just for security operations—but for Nigeria’s standing in the world.